In brief
On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Sunshine Protection Act with a 308‑117 vote, setting states under permanent daylight‑saving time and eliminating the need to move clocks twice a year. Republican Scott DesJarlais presided over the vote, even playing The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” during the final count. The bill, introduced by Florida Representative Vern Buchanan in January 2025, may soon be taken up by the Senate. The move tackles a long‑standing bipartisan debate, with critics citing darker winter mornings and safety concerns, while supporters argue for healthier sleep patterns and less federal hassle.
The U.S. House of Representatives gave a 308‑117 vote to the Sunshine Protection Act, making daylight‑saving time permanent and ending the annual practice of moving clocks forward and back.
The bill, introduced by Florida Republican Vern Buchanan in January, would lock the country in the time that is currently observed between March and November. Republicans and Democrats alike saw the passage as a long‑sought bipartisan win, especially after President Donald Trump pledged to eliminate the “ridiculous” twice‑yearly clock changes.
During the vote, Representative Scott DesJarlais—a Republican who presided—played The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” from his phone, a moment that went viral on social media and underscored the light‑heartedness of the moment.
With the House passing the legislation, the Senate may soon consider its own version of the Sunshine Protection Act, moving the country toward a single, nationwide time standard. Should the Senate agree, all 50 states and federal agencies—including those currently exempt, like Arizona and Hawaii—would come under the same permanent daylight‑saving schedule.
Critics warn that darker winter mornings could increase road‑hazard risks and that a permanent shift will cut daylight from the evening. Proponents counter that long‑term health benefits, such as improved sleep cycles, and reduced administrative costs outweigh the drawbacks.
Daylight‑saving time dates back to World War I, when governments moved clocks to conserve energy and later rescinded it in the 1920s. It was reintroduced during World II and standardized by a 1966 federal law, though a handful of states—Arizona, Hawaii, and U.S. territories like Puerto Rico—remain exempt from both daylight‑saving and permanent time changes.
If the Senate confirms the Sunshine Protection Act, the U.S. would join a growing number of countries that have abandoned seasonal clock changes in favor of either permanent standard time or permanent daylight time.
