Daylight Saving Time Bill Moves Forward
A bipartisan initiative to make daylight saving time a permanent fixture is set for a full chamber vote after successfully navigating a key step in the House.
On Monday, the House Rules Committee advanced the Sunshine Protection Act, which would empower states to adopt year-round daylight saving time, with an option for those who prefer to opt out. This decision passed with a close 6-4 vote.
The bill enjoys backing from numerous coastal lawmakers and former President Donald Trump, who has consistently urged Congress to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes that most states, aside from Hawaii and a small part of Arizona, currently observe.
Proponents suggest that while changing the clocks can be detrimental to health, having permanent daylight saving time would enhance outdoor activities, tourism, and overall economic engagement.
Most Americans already adjust their clocks forward in spring and back in fall—a routine that many seem to find cumbersome. According to Kentucky Republican Party Chairman Brett Guthrie, “Americans overwhelmingly support this policy. The idea of ending the ‘jumping forward’ and ‘falling back’ is appealing. Keeping the clocks set all year is a commonsense change that can benefit sleep patterns, energy savings, and even vehicle safety.” He emphasized that it would give people more opportunities for outdoor exercise, family visits, and engagement in events.
Representative Vern Buchanan from Florida, the bill’s author, previously stated that people across the nation are frustrated by the biannual time shifts. He cited that transitioning to permanent daylight saving time could positively affect public health, decrease traffic accidents, and encourage more outdoor pursuits. “This reform would improve millions of daily lives,” he added.
The bill gained traction after passing the House Energy and Commerce Committee in a landslide 48-1 vote in May. In a response to its progress, Trump tweeted that it’s time to stop worrying about the clock changes, calling it a “ridiculous twice-yearly production.” He framed the proposal as a win for Republicans, arguing it would lead to longer, sunnier days—a sentiment that could be hard to disagree with.
As it stands, about 20 states have already enacted laws that would establish permanent daylight saving time, pending Congressional approval. States like Alabama, South Carolina, Oregon, Maine, and Florida are notable examples.
However, there are opposing views. Some medical organizations contend that keeping standard time with more morning sunlight aligns better with the body’s natural rhythms. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, proposed an amendment to shift to permanent standard time, but her suggestion was dismissed quickly.
Scanlon raised concerns that permanent daylight saving time could leave many—especially children—in dark mornings, potentially jeopardizing health and safety. She also alluded to a brief experiment in 1974 when the U.S. tried year-round daylight saving time, which was discontinued following public dissatisfaction.
Likewise, Representative Nanette Barragan from California cast the only dissenting vote during the Energy and Commerce Committee meeting, voicing worries about the impact on children’s health and sleep routines.
Some Republican members have expressed that the focus should be on more urgent legislative matters, such as border security and pressing bills. “Republicans are minoring and playing with the clock while the country burns,” remarked Representative Keith Self from Texas, highlighting these frustrations.
Although the House has approved the SAVE America Act multiple times, it continues to face challenges in overcoming Senate inertia.
The Senate passed a version of the Sunshine Protection Act unanimously in 2022, but it ultimately stalled in the House amid concerns over dark winter mornings in certain regions.
