The United States may soon bid farewell to the biannual ritual of changing clocks, as a bipartisan effort to make daylight saving time permanent gains momentum. The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved the Sunshine Protection Act which would allow states to voluntarily observe daylight saving time year-round.
The legislation, authored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., passed the House with a vote of 308-117. This move comes as a growing number of lawmakers push to extend evening daylight, citing benefits such as increased outdoor recreation, tourism, and economic activity.
Bipartisan Support and Presidential Backing
The bill has garnered support from both sides of the aisle, with lawmakers from coastal areas, such as Florida, Louisiana, and New Jersey, largely backing the measure. President Donald Trump, who has long advocated for ending the twice-a-year clock changes, is expected to sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
The White House has urged lawmakers to support the Sunshine Protection Act, calling it a “popular, common-sense reform.” The legislation now heads to the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain amid skepticism from members of both parties.
Arguments For and Against Permanent Daylight Saving Time
Proponents of the legislation argue that making daylight saving time permanent would end disruptions caused by switching clocks, including to children’s routines and road safety. They also contend that longer daylight hours would boost tourism and outdoor recreation.
“More evening sunshine means more time with family and more time to enjoy our local restaurants, shops, and everything Florida has to offer,” Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., wrote on social media. “It’s common sense. Let’s get it done.”
However, some lawmakers have raised concerns about the potential downsides of permanent daylight saving time. They argue that it would delay winter sunrises until after 9 a.m. in some parts of the country, raising safety concerns about darker morning commutes and economic challenges for farmers who would likely have to start work later.
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., who favors permanent standard time, argued that year-round daylight saving time would create significant health and safety risks for children, who would likely go to school during darker morning hours. She also pointed to the nation’s brief experiment with year-round daylight saving time in 1974, which Congress reversed after widespread public backlash.
Public Opinion and State Legislation
Recent polling indicates that the semiannual clock change remains widely unpopular with Americans. An AP-NORC survey released in December found that just 12% of Americans favor the current daylight saving time system, with nearly half opposed. Another 40% of respondents had no opinion.
The survey also found that more Americans support having daylight saving time year-round compared to standard time by a 14-point margin. Nearly 20 states have already approved legislation to make daylight saving time permanent if Congress authorizes the practice. Hawaii and most of Arizona, however, do not observe daylight saving time.
The Senate previously passed year-round daylight saving time legislation in 2026, but the measure failed to clear the House. With the latest vote in the House, the push to make daylight saving time permanent has gained significant traction, setting the stage for a potential change in the nation’s timekeeping practices.
