US Congress takes next step to make daylight saving time permanent
The House of Representatives passed a Trump-backed bill that would end decades of Americans having to reset their clocks twice a year.
US Congress Moves Forward to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
On Tuesday, the US House of Representatives approved the Sunshine Protection Act, aiming to establish permanent daylight saving time. The bill passed with a vote of 308-117, receiving support from both parties. If enacted, it would eliminate the biannual clock changes for Americans and maintain the time currently observed from March to November, referred to as permanent standard time.
During the final count, Republican Scott DesJarlais, who oversaw the vote, played a clip of The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" on his phone.
The issue of changing clocks has garnered bipartisan backing over the years, with former President Donald Trump promising to end the practice upon his return to the White House.
Republican Representative Vern Buchanan from Florida, who introduced the bill in January 2025, stated on Tuesday that the clock changes disrupt schedules "for no good reason." With the House's approval, the Senate may soon consider its own version of the bill. Florida Republican Rick Scott also introduced a similar measure, also named the Sunshine Protection Act, in January 2025.
Since World War I, the US has advanced its clocks in the summer to increase afternoon daylight and save electricity. This practice, known as Daylight Saving Time (DST), involves rolling back clocks in the fall to revert to standard time. DST, which was initially implemented to conserve fuel during World War I, faced opposition from farmers and was repealed post-war. It was reinstated during World War II, and in 1966, legislation was passed to standardize clock changes nationwide, although some states, including Hawaii and Arizona, as well as US territories like Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, have opted out.
In a May social media post, Trump expressed his commitment to passing a law regarding time changes, stating, "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. It will also be a very nice WIN for the Republican Party. Take it!"
However, opponents of permanent DST argue that it would result in darker winter mornings, potentially making driving conditions more dangerous during early hours. Advocates for maintaining standard time also highlight health benefits associated with increased morning light, such as improved sleep cycles.
According to the Pew Research Center, only about one-third of the world's countries observe some form of daylight saving time, with the majority located in Europe. In Europe, only Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Iceland, Russia, and Turkey do not participate in daylight saving time, while in Africa, Egypt is the sole nation that observes DST.
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