The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act on Tuesday, voting 308-117 to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide and end the twice-yearly clock changes that have defined American timekeeping for decades.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida, would establish daylight saving time as the permanent standard across most of the United States, beginning next year. States would have the option to opt out and remain on permanent standard time instead, according to Congress.gov.
The legislation arrives after years of failed attempts. The Senate unanimously passed a version of the Sunshine Protection Act in March 2022, but the House did not take it up before that Congress ended, according to Fox News and NPR. The bill expired at the end of that year, setting the stage for the reintroduction now backed by President Donald Trump.
Trump has made personal calls to lawmakers urging support for the measure, according to Politico. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote he would “work very hard to see The Sunshine Protection Act signed into law,” adding that it’s “time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock.'”, according to Complex.
The Health Debate
Proponents argue the change would provide more daylight during hours when Americans are most active. The White House has backed the legislation, according to PBS NewsHour. Supporters say ending the twice-yearly adjustment would simplify timekeeping and reduce confusion.
However, sleep experts remain divided on whether permanent daylight saving time is the right choice. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has called for permanent standard time instead, stating that “it disrupts our body clocks, affects our sleep quality, and increases the risk of avoidable health and safety incidents, such as motor vehicle accidents,” according to their January 2025 statement. Research from Stanford Medicine found that changing clocks twice a year disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to health consequences, according to September 2025 analysis.
The American Medical Association has warned that permanent daylight saving time overlooks potential health risks that could be avoided by establishing permanent standard time, according to their position statement. The debate reflects a tension between convenience—ending the clock change—and circadian alignment with natural light cycles.
Next Steps
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. The chamber unanimously approved a similar measure four years ago, suggesting potential for passage, though the current legislative environment may differ. If approved by both chambers and signed by Trump, the change could take effect as early as 2027.
Sources
- NBC News — confirmed House passage with 308-117 vote and Trump’s backing
- CNN — reported the 308-117 vote count and Senate consideration ahead
- Reuters — documented House passage and bill details
- Congress.gov — provided official bill text and state opt-out provisions
- Fox News — reported 2022 Senate passage and House failure to act
- NPR — covered 2022 Senate unanimous passage and 2023 timeline
- Politico — reported Trump’s personal calls to lawmakers
- Complex — cited Trump’s Truth Social statement about signing the bill
- PBS NewsHour — confirmed White House support for the legislation
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine — provided January 2025 statement on health and safety concerns
- Stanford Medicine — cited September 2025 analysis on circadian rhythm disruption
- American Medical Association — documented position on permanent standard time preference
