House Passes Bill for Permanent Daylight Saving Time

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Tuesday aimed at making daylight saving time a permanent fixture, which would mean no more clock changes twice a year.

This legislation, known as the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, received a favorable vote of 308-117, although it saw opposition from 22 Republicans and 95 Democrats. While President Trump has expressed support for the bill, its future in the Senate is uncertain, especially considering concerns about its effects on school start times, sunrise, and people’s natural body clocks.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the bill’s importance. He highlighted the burden of the biannual clock changes on individuals and local governments, which costs hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

Trump stated, “I’m going to work hard to get the Sunshine Protection Act signed into law. It’s time for people to stop worrying about the ‘clock.’ The effort and money spent on this twice-a-year hassle is ridiculous. This would be a significant win for the Republican Party. Let’s embrace it!”

The bill gained bipartisan backing, with Republican representative Vern Buchanan from Florida and Democratic representative Frank Pallone Jr. from New Jersey being notable supporters.

Buchanan previously stated that many Americans are fed up with the time changes, arguing that permanent daylight saving time could enhance public health, lower traffic accidents, reduce crime, and promote more outdoor activities. He described ending the time shifts as a sensible reform that would improve the daily lives of millions.

Since his inauguration, Trump has advocated for discontinuing clock changes, and while there have been efforts to discuss the issue, tangible progress seems elusive.

Research has shown mixed results regarding the impact of daylight saving time on energy consumption. A 2008 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research noted that, contrary to its aims, DST could actually increase residential electricity demand by about 1%. While it might reduce lighting usage, the need for heating and cooling spiked.

Health and safety professionals have also raised concerns about daylight saving time. Data suggests that there is a 17% higher rate of fatal crashes following the shift. According to reports, traffic fatalities tend to remain elevated in the days after the clock moves forward. Plus, adjusting to the time change might heighten the risk of strokes due to disrupted sleep patterns.