The US House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the Sunshine Protection Act, legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent across most of the country and eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes. The bill passed by a 308-117 vote and now moves to the Senate, where it must be approved before it can be signed into law.
If enacted, clocks would no longer move forward in spring and back in autumn. States would still be able to opt out if their legislatures act before the law takes effect.
The White House backed the proposal ahead of the vote, calling it a "popular, common-sense reform" and saying President Donald Trump's advisers would recommend he sign the legislation if it reaches his desk.
Supporters said ending the clock changes would reduce disruption and give Americans more daylight during evening hours, when people are most active.
Republican Representative Gus Bilirakis of Florida said Americans are ready to "ditch the switch," arguing that changing clocks twice a year is unnecessary and that longer evening daylight would benefit families, businesses and tourism.
"In my home state of Florida where tourism is a cornerstone of our economy, having more predictable daylight hours is a practical improvement that benefits workers, businesses and visitors alike," Bilirakis said.
Opponents warned that permanent daylight saving time would result in darker winter mornings, with children waiting for school buses and commuters travelling before sunrise.
"Millions of Americans will wake up during the winter months in complete darkness with the sun not rising until long after people get up and travel to school or work or have to go about their days," Democratic Representative Mary Gay Scanlon said.
Democratic Representative Jim McGovern supported the bill but questioned whether Congress should prioritise the issue over inflation and rising household costs.
Most Americans favour permanent daylight saving time
According to a 2025 poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 56% of US adults prefer permanent daylight saving time if required to choose one year-round system. About 40% favour permanent standard time, which provides more morning daylight but earlier sunsets.
Congress has debated the issue for years. The Senate approved similar legislation in 2022, but it failed to advance in the House, leaving the twice-yearly clock changes in place.
What happens next?
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it must be approved before it can become law. Although the Senate passed a similar version of the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022, that effort stalled in the House and never reached the president's desk. It is not yet clear whether the Senate will take up the latest bill or when a vote could be scheduled.
If the Senate passes the legislation without changes, it would then go to President Donald Trump for his signature. The White House has already said the administration supports the proposal and that the president's advisers would recommend he sign it into law.
If enacted, the US would stop changing clocks twice a year and observe daylight saving time year-round, except in states that choose to opt out before the law takes effect. States that opt out would remain on permanent standard time, similar to how Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii currently do under existing federal law.
Until the bill completes the legislative process, the current system remains unchanged. Americans will continue to move clocks forward in spring and back in autumn under existing daylight saving time rules.
with inputs from AP
