The House of Representatives has passed a bill to eliminate the twice-yearly practice of changing clocks for daylight saving time. The Bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act, which gained support from former President Donald Trump, cleared the House with a vote of 308-117 on Tuesday.
Former President Trump has advocated for ending the time change, stating in a May social media post that permanent daylight saving time offers a "longer, brighter Day." The White House also endorsed the bill, describing it as a "popular, common-sense reform."
The legislation allows states to opt out and remain on permanent standard time if they take action before the law takes effect. Localities already observing permanent standard time would also remain exempt.
Supporters of the bill argue that more daylight in the evening would benefit Americans returning from work and children from school. Some proponents, including golf course owners, suggest the extra evening sunlight could boost business.
However, the bill faces an uncertain path in the Senate. Health experts and some lawmakers, particularly those representing agricultural communities in Midwestern states, have expressed opposition. Medical groups, such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, argue that year-round standard time aligns better with natural sleep cycles and that permanent daylight saving time could lead to later sunrises in winter, potentially past 9 a.m. in some parts of the country. Concerns have also been raised, referencing a past congressional experiment with permanent daylight saving time in the early 1970s, which was repealed after public outcry over children waiting for school in darkness.