House Advances Bill to End Seasonal Clock Changes Permanently

WHO:

NY Post - The bill is sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.).

Fox News - President Trump signaled support for the bill.

WHAT:

Alternet - The Senate is likely to encounter stiff opposition to the Sunshine Protection Act, even from some Republicans.

Fast Company - Rep. Gus Bilirakis stated that changing the clock twice a year creates unnecessary disruption and would provide families more daylight time in the evening.

Fast Company - Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon expressed concerns that permanent daylight saving time would lead to darker winter mornings, stating, "Millions of Americans will wake up during the winter months in complete darkness."

Fast Company - A 2025 poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicated that 56% of adults prefer making daylight saving time permanent, while about 40% prefer standard time.

Alternet - In March 2025, Trump described the issue of daylight saving time as a “50–50 issue.”

Alternet - In the past seven years, 19 states have approved proposals for permanent, year-round daylight saving time, pending Congressional approval.

Alternet - If implemented, the act would extend the current eight-month period of daylight saving time to cover the four winter months.

Fast Company - The White House called the "Sunshine Protection Act" a popular, common-sense reform and stated that advisers would recommend the president sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

Fast Company - The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act with a vote of 308-117.

Fast Company - Rep. Jim McGovern questioned whether the bill was the best use of Congress's time, citing issues like rent and healthcare costs.

Alternet - The cost of shifting between time zones each year has been estimated to exceed half a billion dollars annually.

Alternet - The misalignment between clocks and circadian rhythms due to dark winter mornings is associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for adolescents.

Fox News - There are concerns regarding circadian rhythm and road safety related to the clock change.

CNN - The House voted in favor of the Sunshine Protection Act with a margin of 308-117.

CNN - The Senate previously passed a version of a Daylight Saving Time bill in 2022 without objections, but it did not receive a vote in the House.

CNN - The bill allows states to opt out of permanent daylight saving time if they adopt permanent standard time before it takes effect.

CNN - The Arkansas senator Tom Cotton has warned that a later sunrise would endanger children commuting to school in the dark.

Alternet - The Senate is likely to encounter stiff opposition to the Sunshine Protection Act, even from some Republicans.

Alternet - A YouGov poll conducted in February 2026 found that 64% of Americans want to abolish clock changes, with 43% favoring year-round daylight saving time and 28% preferring year-round standard time.

Alternet - If the Sunshine Protection Act is implemented, 87% of the contiguous urban US population would experience sunrise after 8am in winter.

Alternet - Close to half of the over 2,500 urban areas in the contiguous United States would see winter sunrises occurring after 8:30am on the winter solstice.

Alternet - The Sunshine Protection Act would implement year-round daylight saving time nationwide, effectively extending the current eight-month period of daylight saving to cover the four winter months.

Fast Company - States could opt out of the permanent daylight saving time if their respective legislatures act to do so before the bill's enactment.

Fast Company - The White House called the "Sunshine Protection Act" a popular, common-sense reform and stated that advisers would recommend the president sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

Fast Company - The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act with a vote of 308-117.

Fast Company - Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) stated that changing the clock twice a year creates unnecessary disruption and would provide families more daylight time in the evening.

Fast Company - Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.) expressed concerns that permanent daylight saving time would lead to darker winter mornings, stating, "Millions of Americans will wake up during the winter months in complete darkness."

Fast Company - Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) questioned whether the bill was the best use of Congress's time, citing issues like rent and healthcare costs.

Alternet - In March 2025, Trump described the issue of daylight saving time as a “50–50 issue.”

Alternet - In 1973, Congress authorized a two-year trial of year-round daylight saving time, which was abandoned due to safety concerns and public support dropping from nearly 80% to around 40% by the end of the trial.

Alternet - The Sunshine Protection Act was approved by the House with a bipartisan vote of 308–117.

Alternet - If implemented, the act would extend the current eight-month period of daylight saving time to cover the four winter months.

Fox News - The Sunshine Protection Act passed the House with a vote of 245 to 182.

Drudge Report - The House passed a plan to make daylight saving time permanent.

Fox News - The Sunshine Protection Act passed the House with bipartisan support.

WHERE:

NY Post - The bill will now head to the Senate.

WHEN:

Fox News - Future debates over the bill are anticipated.

WHY:

CNN - The cost of shifting between time zones each year has been estimated to exceed half a billion dollars annually.

CNN - The misalignment between clocks and circadian rhythms due to dark winter mornings is associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for adolescents.

Alternet - The misalignment between clocks and circadian rhythms due to dark winter mornings is associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for adolescents.

Fast Company - Rep. Gus Bilirakis stated that having more predictable daylight hours is a practical improvement that benefits workers, businesses, and visitors alike, particularly in Florida where tourism is a cornerstone of the economy.

Fast Company - Rep. Jim McGovern questioned whether the bill was the best use of Congress's time, citing issues like rent, groceries, utility bills, and healthcare costs.

Alternet - The cost of shifting between time zones each year has been estimated to exceed half a billion dollars annually.

Alternet - The misalignment between clocks and circadian rhythms due to dark winter mornings is associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for adolescents.

Fox News - There are concerns regarding circadian rhythm and road safety related to the clock change.

HOW:

CNN - The average school start time in the U.S. is 8am, meaning most children would wake, go to school, and start class in the dark during winter under year-round daylight saving time.

Alternet - The average school start time in the U.S. is 8am, meaning most children would wake, go to school, and start class in the dark during winter under year-round daylight saving time.

Alternet - In the past seven years, 19 states have approved proposals for permanent, year-round daylight saving time, pending Congressional approval.

Drudge Report - The House's action reflects a legislative effort to end seasonal clock changes permanently.

(UPDATED July 15, 2026 21:18 UTC)

The Senate is expected to face significant opposition to the Sunshine Protection Act, even from some Republicans, as the House recently passed the bill with a vote of 308 to 117. While Rep. Gus Bilirakis argues that eliminating the clock change would benefit families by providing more evening daylight, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon warns that permanent daylight saving time could result in darker winter mornings for millions of Americans. A 2025 poll revealed that 56% of adults favor making daylight saving time permanent, but concerns about health impacts and road safety related to the clock change continue to be raised.

(UPDATED July 15, 2026 19:20 UTC)

The House has voted in favor of the Sunshine Protection Act, passing the bill with a significant margin of 308 to 117. This legislation allows states to opt out of permanent daylight saving time if they adopt permanent standard time before it takes effect, addressing concerns about the negative health impacts associated with dark winter mornings. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton has raised alarms that a later sunrise could put children at risk while commuting to school in the dark.

(UPDATED July 15, 2026 17:21 UTC)

The Senate is expected to face significant opposition to the Sunshine Protection Act, even from some Republicans. A recent YouGov poll revealed that 64% of Americans support abolishing clock changes, with many favoring year-round daylight saving time, which could lead to 87% of the contiguous urban U.S. population experiencing winter sunrises after 8 a.m. This misalignment of clocks with natural circadian rhythms, particularly affecting adolescents, raises concerns as the average school start time in the U.S. is 8 a.m., meaning most children would wake up and head to school in the dark during winter months.

(UPDATED July 15, 2026 16:20 UTC)

The Sunshine Protection Act is set to implement year-round daylight saving time across the nation, extending the current eight-month period to include the four winter months. While states will have the option to opt out if their legislatures act before the bill is enacted, the White House has described this legislation as a popular and common-sense reform, with advisers indicating they would recommend President Trump sign it if it reaches his desk. Supporters like Rep. Gus Bilirakis argue that more predictable daylight hours will benefit workers and tourism, particularly in Florida, although Rep. Jim McGovern has raised concerns about whether this bill is the best use of Congress's time given pressing issues like rent and healthcare costs.

(UPDATED July 15, 2026 15:22 UTC)

The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act with a significant vote of 308 to 117, aiming to make daylight saving time permanent. Supporters like Rep. Gus Bilirakis argue that eliminating the clock change would reduce disruptions and give families more evening daylight, while opponents such as Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon warn that this could result in darker winter mornings for millions of Americans. Additionally, Rep. Jim McGovern raised concerns about whether this legislation is the best use of Congress's time, especially with pressing issues like rent and healthcare costs still on the table.

(UPDATED July 15, 2026 13:27 UTC)

A recent YouGov poll revealed that 64% of Americans want to abolish clock changes, with 43% supporting year-round daylight saving time and 28% preferring year-round standard time. Trump previously described the daylight saving time debate as a “50–50 issue,” reflecting the divided opinions on this topic. It's worth noting that a two-year trial of year-round daylight saving time was authorized by Congress in 1973, but it was ultimately abandoned due to safety concerns and a significant drop in public support.

(UPDATED July 15, 2026 12:19 UTC)

The House has approved the Sunshine Protection Act with a strong bipartisan vote of 308 to 117, which aims to extend daylight saving time from eight months to cover the four winter months as well. This move comes in response to the significant financial burden of shifting time zones each year, estimated to exceed half a billion dollars, as well as the negative health impacts associated with dark winter mornings, especially for adolescents. Over the past seven years, 19 states have already approved proposals for permanent, year-round daylight saving time, awaiting Congressional approval to move forward.

(UPDATED July 15, 2026 02:49 UTC)

The Sunshine Protection Act has successfully passed the House with a vote tally of two hundred forty-five to one hundred eighty-two. This legislation aims to make daylight saving time permanent, eliminating the need to change clocks twice a year. Supporters believe this change will benefit public health and safety, as well as boost the economy.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 23:16 UTC)

The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a plan to make daylight saving time permanent, with bipartisan support and sponsorship from Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida. President Trump has signaled his support for the bill, which will now head to the Senate for future debates. This legislative effort aims to address concerns about circadian rhythm and road safety related to the seasonal clock changes.