House Republicans Push for Permanent Daylight Saving Time
House Republicans are pushing to make daylight saving time a permanent change, eliminating the biannual clock adjustments, a move that President Trump has described as “an easy one.”
The push to keep daylight saving time has been ongoing for years and involves lawmakers from both parties. The goal is to provide Americans with more evening daylight. Currently, they are working on advancing the Sunshine Protection Act, which would maintain daylight saving time throughout the year—typically running from March to November.
Since his return to the White House in 2024, President Trump has shown support for ending the clock changes, though he also pointed out that public opinion is split on the matter.
“It’s significant since hundreds of millions are spent each year by individuals and municipalities just to change the clocks,” Trump noted.
“People won’t have to worry about the clock anymore, and all the unnecessary effort and expense that goes into this twice-yearly ordeal will come to an end. It would also be a nice win for the Republican Party. We should adopt the far more popular Saving Daylight, which provides a longer, brighter day — who wouldn’t want that? This isn’t a tough decision!”
On May 21st, the House Energy and Commerce Committee reviewed and ultimately approved a measure, H.R. 7389 — the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act. While primarily a standard piece of transportation legislation, it includes a key provision to make daylight saving time permanent across the country, excluding states like Hawaii and most of Arizona that already adhere to standard time year-round.
Vern Buchanan from Florida stated on May 20th that his Sunshine Protection Act would be included in this broader transportation package, just a day before it was considered by the committee. Since 2018, Buchanan has introduced the act every legislative session, seeking to establish permanent daylight saving time nationwide. Currently, the bill boasts 32 cosponsors, with 29 coming from both sides of the aisle.
“Floridians and people nationwide are fed up with the twice-yearly clock changes,” Buchanan expressed. “Studies indicate that permanent daylight saving time can enhance public health, reduce traffic accidents, lower crime rates, and encourage outdoor activities. Ending this clock change is a common-sense reform that would benefit millions of Americans in their daily lives.”
Despite this, there’s still a divide among Americans, even though many agree that switching clocks twice yearly is bothersome, according to USA Today.
Supporters of daylight saving time often appreciate the extended evenings and more sunlight after work or school during warmer months. However, maintaining it year-round would result in darker mornings in winter, with the sun rising later.
Some lawmakers have raised concerns, arguing that the proposal could negatively impact residents in northern states and the Midwest.
