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House advances permanent DST
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to make daylight saving time permanent by passing the Sunshine Protection Act on Tuesday, with a 308-117 vote that would remove the need for Americans to change their clocks twice a year.
“The measure, known as the Sunshine Protection Act, passed 308-117.”
NBC News said the measure would put the country on the time currently observed from March to November unless a state exempted itself before the act took effect, and it would end the twice-annual changing of clocks.
President Donald Trump has publicly pushed Congress to pass the legislation, writing May 21 on Truth Social that he was "going to work very hard to see The Sunshine Protection Act signed into Law."
The House bill now heads to the Senate for consideration, after a Senate version of the Sunshine Protection Act stalled last year when Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., objected to fast-tracking via unanimous consent in October.
The BBC reported that Republican Scott DesJarlais, who presided over the vote, played a clip of The Beatles' Here Comes the Sun on his phone during the final count.
Supporters vs. warnings
In the House debate, Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., asked, "Why in the heck are we still changing our clocks?" and Rep. Gus Bilirakis added, "This is not about politics. This is about practicality."
Politico reported that other members were critical, including Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who said, "because I think having kids go to school when it’s dark doesn’t make sense."
NBC News described Sen. Tom Cotton’s objections, saying he warned the change could lead to overlooked negative consequences, including parts of the country where the sun wouldn’t rise until 9 a.m. or later.
The BBC also quoted Labour and medical concerns in the broader debate, noting that critics of permanent DST have said it would lead to darker winter mornings that could make driving conditions more hazardous for those on the road in early hours.
NBC4 Washington said the bill has bipartisan support and would allow states to make daylight saving time permanent with the option to opt out, while opponents cited health concerns and supporters pointed to economic benefits like boosted tourism and outdoor recreation.
What happens next
The Sunshine Protection Act’s momentum depends on the Senate, where Politico said the bill faces an uphill battle despite strong lobbying from the White House and personal engagement from President Donald Trump.
“"will ask Thune not to bring it up."”
Politico reported that Sen. Tom Cotton is unlikely to be overridden by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and it quoted a Cotton aide saying the senator "is far from the only one who objects to the Sunshine Protection Act" and "will ask Thune not to bring it up."
National Geographic said that in 2026 daylight saving time would take effect on March 29 and end on October 25, with clocks moving forward one hour at 2:00 a.m. on the last Sunday of March.
National Geographic also noted that clocks roll back in the autumn each year to then follow standard time, and it said the time-change is known as Daylight Saving Time (DST).
If Congress passes the House measure and it is signed into law, Time Magazine said the legislation would make permanent Daylight Saving Time the norm across the U.S. while also giving states the choice to opt out.