The House of Representatives approved the Sunshine Protection Act by a vote of 308 to 117, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration. The legislation would make Daylight Saving Time the permanent standard across the United States.
If enacted, the bill would end the twice‑yearly ritual of “springing forward” and “falling back,” keeping the nation on DST throughout the year. Under the proposal, the current daylight schedule would remain in effect without any return to Standard Time.
“Polling shows that two‑thirds of Americans want to unlock the clock. My bill is simply a solution to make Daylight Saving Time permanent,” said Representative Vern Buchanan. “Allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports activities and school,” he added. Representative Gus Bilirakis echoed the sentiment, stating, “Why are we forcing families, businesses, and communities to adjust their schedules every spring and fall? The twice‑yearly clock change is a relic of the past that no longer reflects the way Americans live.”
Only one member opposed the measure: Representative Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania. She questioned why Congress was focusing on the time change when pressing issues like food, fuel, and health‑care costs remained unaddressed.
Congress previously attempted a year‑round DST experiment in the mid‑1970s to combat an oil embargo. The initiative faced strong public backlash, with support dropping from 79 % in December 1973 to just 42 % by August 1974, prompting a return to the traditional schedule.
President Donald Trump called the current clock changes “ridiculous,” and Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana said he expects the bill to move forward quickly after Senate action. Kennedy noted that while some colleagues remain opposed, a vote is likely soon.
Should the Senate pass the legislation, the United States would remain on DST indefinitely, eliminating the biannual disruptions that have vexed Americans for decades. Critics, however, warn that the change could have unintended consequences for health, commerce, and international coordination.
The debate over permanent DST highlights the tension between legislative ambition and practical concerns, leaving voters to watch whether the clock will truly be set to a new standard.
