Millions of Americans could soon stop changing their clocks twice a year after the House of Representatives approved legislation that moves the country one step closer to permanent daylight saving time.
On Tuesday, lawmakers passed the Sunshine Protection Act in a bipartisan 308-117 vote, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration. If approved and signed into law, the legislation would allow states to keep daylight saving time year-round instead of switching between standard time and daylight saving time every spring and fall.
For many Americans, ending the twice-yearly clock change has become a long-overdue reform that supporters say would simplify daily life, improve safety, and reduce unnecessary disruptions.
The legislation was introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), who has spent years pushing Congress to permanently end seasonal clock changes.
Buchanan said permanent daylight saving time could deliver several important benefits, including improved public health, fewer traffic accidents, lower crime rates, stronger local economies, and more daylight for families to enjoy outdoor activities after work.
He called the proposal a common-sense reform that has earned broad support across the country and urged lawmakers to “lock the clock” once and for all.
If the bill becomes law, summer daylight would remain largely unchanged. The biggest difference would occur during the winter months, when Americans would enjoy later sunsets but also later sunrises.
For example, New York City’s earliest December sunset would move from approximately 4:28 p.m. to 5:28 p.m., while the latest January sunrise would shift from around 7:20 a.m. to 8:20 a.m.
Many supporters argue that extra evening daylight encourages shopping, recreation, youth sports, and family activities while making evening commutes feel safer.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly backed ending the twice-a-year time changes.
After the Sunshine Protection Act advanced through committee earlier this year, Trump praised the effort on Truth Social, arguing that Americans should no longer have to deal with the inconvenience and expense of changing their clocks every spring and fall.
Trump also said permanent daylight saving time would give Americans longer daylight hours during the evening and described the proposal as a popular, practical change that would improve everyday life.
Not everyone supports the legislation.
Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) voted against the bill, arguing that Congress should spend more time examining its long-term effects before making a permanent national change.
Dean said decisions involving the nation’s official time affect public health, transportation, schools, businesses, and the economy, making a thorough debate essential.
She instead supports adopting permanent standard time, pointing to research suggesting that earlier morning sunlight may better align with the body’s natural sleep cycle and improve overall health.
Despite those concerns, momentum for ending the clock changes continues to grow.
Nearly 20 states, including Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Oregon, and Maine, have already approved legislation that would adopt permanent daylight saving time if Congress authorizes it.
Today, every state observes daylight saving time except Hawaii and most of Arizona.
The Senate will now decide whether to advance the Sunshine Protection Act. If lawmakers approve the measure and it receives President Trump’s signature, millions of Americans could finally see an end to the twice-a-year clock changes that have frustrated families, businesses, and commuters for decades.
Why this matters: If the legislation becomes law, Americans in participating states would no longer have to reset their clocks every spring and fall. Supporters believe the change would make daily life simpler, provide more evening daylight, and eliminate a practice many consider outdated, while critics continue to argue that permanent standard time may offer greater health benefits.