A bipartisan push to make daylight saving time permanent moved a step closer to becoming law Tuesday after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the measure.
Lawmakers voted 308-117 to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, which would allow states to adopt year-round daylight saving time as support grows among lawmakers for extending evening daylight throughout the year.
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“For decades, we have accepted this ritual of springing forward and falling back, even though it disrupts routines, throws off our sleep and creates unnecessary frustration for families across the country,” Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., said Tuesday.
She went on to describe how changing the clock has disrupted her infant son’s sleep schedule.
“Let’s stop asking Americans to reset their clocks every March and November,” she continued.
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“Let’s provide some certainty and consistency and a little more sunshine at the end of the day,” Cammack added.
The legislation drew support and opposition from members of both parties.
Lawmakers from coastal states such as Louisiana, Florida, and New Jersey generally favored permanent daylight saving time, while many from the Midwest and states with large agricultural sectors opposed the proposal, Fox News reports.
House Democrats were nearly evenly divided on the measure, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., voting against it.
Among Republicans, only 22 members opposed the bill, including Reps. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, Rick Crawford of Arkansas, Ryan Zinke of Montana, and Harriet Hageman of Wyoming.
The measure now heads to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain as lawmakers in both parties have expressed reservations. President Donald Trump, who has long advocated ending the twice-yearly clock changes, is expected to sign the legislation if it reaches his desk.
🚨 JUST IN: The US House just PASSED legislation to abolish seasonal time changes, making Daylight Saving Time PERMANENT, 308-117
The bill now goes to the Senate, supported by President Trump
If fully approved, this would mean NO MORE CLOCK CHANGES nationwide ☀️ pic.twitter.com/KBifRNfEji
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 14, 2026
The White House encouraged lawmakers to back the Sunshine Protection Act in an internal memo distributed to Capitol Hill offices on Tuesday, describing it as a “popular, common-sense reform.”
Nearly every state currently observes daylight saving time by moving clocks forward one hour in March and back one hour in November.
Nearly 20 states have already enacted laws that would allow permanent daylight saving time if Congress grants states the authority to do so.
Hawaii and most of Arizona are the only states that currently do not observe daylight saving time.
Supporters of the legislation, introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., argued that ending the twice-yearly clock changes would reduce disruptions to daily life, including children’s schedules and road safety.
They also contend that longer evening daylight would encourage tourism, outdoor recreation, and economic activity, notes Fox.
“More evening sunshine means more time with family and more time to enjoy our local restaurants, shops, and everything Florida has to offer,” Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., posted online.
“It’s common sense. Let’s get it done,” her post continued.
Opponents, however, argue that permanent daylight saving time would push winter sunrises past 9 a.m. in some parts of the country, raising concerns about children traveling to school and commuters driving in darkness.
They also contend the change could create challenges for farmers, who would likely begin their workday later during the winter months.
Critics further argue that permanent standard time—which provides more morning daylight—better aligns with the body’s natural circadian rhythms and is healthier than year-round daylight saving time.
“If we’re going to make a permanent change that affects every American, we should follow the science and prioritize Americans’ health, particularly that of the children,” Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., who is in favor of permanent standard time, argued on the House floor Tuesday, Fox noted.
Opponents, Scanlon noted, also pointed to the nation’s brief experiment with year-round daylight saving time in 1974, which Congress ultimately repealed following widespread public opposition.
Tuesday’s vote comes as the twice-yearly clock changes continue to receive little public support.
An AP-NORC poll released in December found that only 12% of Americans favor the current daylight saving time system, while nearly half oppose it. Another 40% of respondents said they had no opinion.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
