The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Tuesday, July 14, on legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent across most of the country, according to a notice posted July 9 by House leadership. [1][2]
The Sunshine Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), would end the twice-yearly clock change in March and November and lock clocks one hour ahead year-round. States would be allowed to opt out before the change takes effect, officials said. [2]
Background and Legislative History
The Senate passed a similar version of the Sunshine Protection Act unanimously in March 2022, but the House never acted on it during that Congress. [1] In the current session, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 48-1 on May 21 to advance the bill, which was attached as a provision to the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act. [3][4]
President Donald Trump indicated he would sign the measure into law. He argued in a post on Truth Social that the vote was “so important” because “Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are spent every year by people, Cities and States, being forced to change their Clocks.” [5]
The United States previously experimented with year-round daylight saving time in 1974, but the policy was repealed after public backlash, according to historical accounts. [6] DST has been observed in nearly all states since the 1960s, with the exception of Hawaii and most of Arizona, which remain on permanent standard time. [2] A 2025 AP-NORC poll found that only 12% of U.S. adults favor the current system of changing clocks twice a year, while 47% oppose it. [7]
Arguments From Supporters
Supporters argue that making DST permanent would improve public health, reduce traffic accidents, and boost economic activity. Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) said in a committee statement that “locking the clock would have positive impacts on sleep, energy conservation, motor vehicle safety and our economy.” [2] Buchanan stated in May that ending the biannual time change could lower crime rates and reduce energy consumption. [2]
Advocates point to research linking the spring-forward clock change with a spike in heart attacks, strokes and workplace injuries. A landmark Stanford University study published September 2025 concluded that adopting permanent standard time is the healthiest option for the public, noting that the biannual clock change itself is the most harmful, creating a state of societal-wide “jet lag” that disrupts circadian rhythms. [8]
However, supporters of permanent daylight time argue that brighter winter evenings would encourage more outdoor activity and economic activity, such as retail and recreation. [2] Some studies also suggest that additional evening daylight could increase exposure to vitamin D, which is linked to bone health and reduced depression. [9]
Arguments From Opponents
Opponents of the Sunshine Protection Act warn that permanent daylight time would result in “absurdly late” winter sunrises, forcing children to go to school in darkness. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) has voiced concerns that such a shift would be particularly disruptive for rural areas and families with early school schedules. [10] Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) criticized the effort, saying, “Republicans are majoring in the minors – fiddling with the clocks while the country burns.” [1]
Alternative legislation has been introduced to make standard time permanent instead, which would align clocks more closely with the natural solar cycle and avoid dark winter mornings. Cotton warned that under permanent daylight time, some northern cities could see sunrises as late as 9:30 a.m. in winter. [10] A book by Lynne Peeples, “The Inner Clock: Living in Sync with Our Circadian Rhythms,” notes that public polls show most people want to stop changing clocks but there is no consensus on which direction to go. [11]
Outlook and Procedural Challenges
The bill’s path to enactment faces procedural hurdles. Although the House Rules Committee rejected a request to bring an alternative standard-time bill to the floor, the Sunshine Protection Act could still fail on a procedural vote if GOP leaders prioritize other legislation, such as a voter ID bill. [1] Trump has pushed for ending clock-switching, but he also made passage of the Sunshine Protection Act contingent on other legislative priorities, including the SAVE America Act, according to recent statements. [12]
If the House passes the bill, the Senate must revisit the measure because the current House version differs from the one it approved in 2022. Opposition from Cotton and others could complicate quick passage. [10] British Columbia in Canada recently moved to adopt year-round DST, indicating a broader trend among jurisdictions seeking to eliminate the biannual change. [13]
References
- 100percentfedup.com. “JUST IN: House Sets Vote To End America’s Twice-Yearly Clock Changes.” July 13, 2026.
- The Epoch Times. “House to Consider Permanent Daylight Saving Bill.” July 10, 2026.
- Just the News. “Trump touts legislation that would make Daylight Savings Time permanent.” May 22, 2026.
- The Epoch Times. “Permanent Daylight Saving Bill Advances to House Floor.” May 22, 2026.
- The Epoch Times. “Trump Indicates He’ll Sign Bill Making Daylight Saving Time Permanent.” May 22, 2026.
- NTD. “Clocks Move Ahead Sunday as 2026 Daylight Saving Time Begins Across Most of US.” March 7, 2026.
- NTD. “New Poll Shows Most People Dislike Daylight Saving Time.” October 31, 2025.
- NaturalNews.com. “Permanent standard time emerges as clear winner for public health in landmark study.” September 21, 2025.
- NaturalNews.com. “Research shows health may increase during day.” September 28, 2005.
- The Epoch Times. “No Consensus in Senate on Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent.” October 29, 2025.
- Lynne Peeples. “The Inner Clock: Living in Sync with Our Circadian Rhythms.”
- 100percentfedup.com. “In Surprise Twist, President Trump Abruptly Cancels Bill Signing In Move To Pass The SAVE America Act.” June 24, 2026.
- The Epoch Times. “BC Moves to End Time Changes, Adopt Permanent Daylight Saving Time.” March 7, 2026.
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