The United States House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill that would end the twice-yearly clock change and make daylight saving time permanent. The Sunshine Protection Act, as it is known, passed by 308 votes to 117 and will now proceed to the Senate.
The legislation, sponsored by Vern Buchanan, a Republican representative from Florida, would establish daylight saving time as the new permanent standard time. This would result in later sunrises and sunsets, providing more daylight in the evening during the darker months. Under the proposal, individual states would retain the option to opt out and remain on permanent standard time.
The bill has bipartisan support, including the backing of Donald Trump and several Democratic co-sponsors. Ahead of the vote, Mr Buchanan said: “Americans across the country are tired of the biannual clock change, and the evidence is clear that permanent daylight saving time can improve public health, reduce traffic accidents, lower crime and encourage more outdoor activity.”
On his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump described the bill as a “very nice WIN for the Republican Party”, adding: “We are going with the far more popular alternative, Saving Daylight, which gives you a longer, brighter Day – And who can be against that – This is an easy one!”
Daylight saving time was introduced in the early 20th century to conserve energy and provide more hours of sunlight during wartime. Previous efforts to make it permanent have stalled, though 19 states have already passed state-level laws that would allow for permanent daylight saving time should Congress approve such a measure. However, some sleep medicine specialists have argued that a fixed standard time would better align with human circadian rhythms.
