House Passes Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent, Senate Vote Ahead

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 308-117 to approve the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent across the nation. The bipartisan bill now proceeds to the Senate, where it is expected to encounter resistance, including from some Republicans.

President Donald Trump has previously pledged to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes, describing them as “inconvenient and very costly.” Supporters argue that a permanent shift could boost evening leisure, consumer spending and possibly reduce energy use, while opponents cite health concerns linked to darker winter mornings.

A February 2026 YouGov poll found that 64% of Americans favor ending the clock changes, but preferences are split between year-round daylight saving (43%) and year-round standard time (28%). Health organizations such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine endorse permanent standard time, warning that late winter sunrises could disrupt circadian rhythms, especially for students and early-morning workers.

Research from the United States Studies Centre indicates that under permanent daylight saving, about 87% of the contiguous urban population would see sunrise after 8 a.m. in winter, a scenario currently experienced by only 3% of that population. Critics say this misalignment could increase health risks and affect school schedules.

The United States previously experimented with year-round daylight saving during a two-year trial in 1973-74, but public support fell sharply amid safety concerns, leading to the program’s early termination. The current proposal revives the debate over whether the benefits of extended evening daylight outweigh the drawbacks of darker mornings.