A bipartisan effort to establish Daylight Saving Time year-round is advancing toward a full House vote after successfully navigating a crucial committee stage. The House Rules Committee advanced the Sunshine Protection Act on Monday through a 6-4 vote, paving the way for a floor debate.
The bill, which would allow states to observe Daylight Saving Time permanently with an option to opt out, has garnered support from various lawmakers and former President Donald Trump. Trump has previously advocated for ending the twice-yearly clock changes that affect most of the United States, with exceptions for Hawaii and most of Arizona.
Proponents of the legislation argue that making Daylight Saving Time permanent offers several benefits, including improved public health by aligning with natural sleep patterns, increased energy conservation, enhanced motor vehicle safety, and economic boosts for outdoor recreation and tourism. Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., stated that the policy is overwhelmingly supported by Americans and would positively impact sleep schedules, energy usage, safety, and the economy. He added that it would provide more time for outdoor activities, family visits, and economic opportunities for businesses.
Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., the bill's author, previously highlighted that ending the clock change is a "commonsense reform" that can improve public health, reduce traffic accidents, lower crime rates, and encourage more outdoor activity. The legislation's momentum follows its overwhelming passage in the House Energy and Commerce Committee in May.
Former President Trump has also voiced his support, calling it a "very nice WIN for the Republican Party" and emphasizing the popularity of "Saving Daylight" for its longer, brighter days. Approximately 20 states have already enacted legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, contingent on federal approval.
However, the bill faces opposition from some quarters. Medical organizations and certain lawmakers argue that permanent standard time, which offers more morning sunlight, would be healthier by better aligning with the body's natural circadian rhythms. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., proposed an amendment to make standard time permanent, citing potential health and safety risks associated with year-round Daylight Saving Time, particularly for children who might be in darkness during morning hours. She also referenced the public backlash that followed a brief experiment with year-round Daylight Saving Time in 1974, which was subsequently abandoned.
Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-Calif., echoed concerns about the potential negative effects of permanent Daylight Saving Time on children's health and sleep schedules. Some conservative lawmakers have also criticized the focus on this legislation, suggesting that more pressing issues, such as border security and other stalled bills, should take precedence. Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, remarked that "Republicans are majoring in the minors—fiddling with the clocks while the country burns."
A version of the Sunshine Protection Act passed the Senate unanimously in 2022 but stalled in the House due to concerns about darker winter mornings in certain regions. The Senate previously passed a version of the bill in 2022, but it did not advance in the House.