A House panel on Thursday overwhelmingly passed legislation to make Daylight Savings Time permanent, thereby eliminating the need for Americans in most of the country to adjust their clocks twice a year.
The committee voted 48-1 to advance the Sunshine Protection Act, introduced by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.)
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The measure was included as part of a broader transportation funding proposal known as the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act.
President Trump praised the panel and said he fully supported the change.
“This is so important in that Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are spent every year by people, Cities, and States, being forced to change their Clocks,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Many of these Clocks are located in Towers, and the cost of renting, or using, Heavy Equipment to do this twice a year is prohibitive!”
He added he is “going to work very hard” to ensure the Sunshine Protection Act is signed into law.
“It’s time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice yearly production,” he wrote.
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“It will also be a very nice WIN for the Republican Party. Take it! We are going with the far more popular alternative, Saving Daylight, which gives you a longer, brighter Day — And who can be against that — This is an easy one!” he added.
Trump has repeatedly pushed lawmakers to make Daylight Savings Time permanent, writing on Truth Social last year both chambers should “push hard for more Daylight at the end of the day.”
“Very popular, and most importantly, no more changing of the clocks, a big inconvenience and, for our government, A VERY COSTLY EVENT!!!” he added.
Scott and Buchanan assumed leadership of the Sunshine Protection Act after Marco Rubio left the Senate to become secretary of state last year.
Buchanan said Wednesday he was “proud” the legislation had been incorporated into the broader Motor Vehicle Modernization Act package.
JUST IN: House committee votes 48-1 to advance the “Sunshine Protection Act,” which would make daylight saving time permanent.
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) May 22, 2026
“Floridians and Americans across the country are tired of the biannual time change, and the evidence is clear that permanent daylight saving time can improve public health, reduce traffic accidents, lower crime and encourage more outdoor activity,” he said in a statement.
“Ending the clock change is a commonsense reform that will improve everyday life for millions of Americans,” he added.
The Sunshine Protection Act would require states that do not opt out before the law takes effect to permanently observe the time currently used between March and November under daylight saving time.
Hawaii and most of Arizona would remain exempt because they already observe standard time year-round and do not participate in daylight saving time changes.
Meanwhile, Rubio revealed on Friday there is “a little bit of movement” in back-channel discussions to halt the U.S.-Israel war with Iran
However, Rubio warned that the window won’t be open forever, and Washington is keeping another option on the table.
“The latest signs are encouraging, but I’m not popping champagne yet,” Rubio said Friday.
“I don’t want to exaggerate it, but there’s been a little bit of movement, and that’s good,” he said, while stressing he doesn’t “want to be overly optimistic.”
Behind the scenes, Pakistan is again stepping up.
As Islamabad seeks to keep the discussions going, Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, identified by security sources as a major intermediary between Washington and Tehran, is heading to Tehran for consultations with Iranian officials.
Rubio’s measured tone carries a stark red line: Iran’s efforts to impose what it terms a “tolling system” in the Strait of Hormuz.
“No one in the world is in favor of the tolling system,” Rubio said. “It can’t happen. It would be unacceptable.”
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
