President Donald Trump is once again pushing to end America’s twice-a-year clock changes, throwing his support behind a Republican-led effort to make daylight saving time permanent.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 48-1 this week to advance the Sunshine Protection Act, legislation that would allow states to adopt permanent daylight saving time and end the long-criticized practice of changing clocks every spring and fall.
Trump celebrated the move in a Truth Social post, arguing the current system is outdated and unpopular with voters.
“It will also be a very nice WIN for the Republican Party. Take it!” Trump wrote.
The legislation is being championed by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., who say Americans are tired of losing and gaining an hour every year.
Supporters argue that permanent daylight saving time would give Americans more usable daylight in the evening, help businesses, reduce traffic accidents, and simplify scheduling nationwide. The proposal has picked up bipartisan support in Congress, with dozens of lawmakers signing onto the effort.
Congress nearly approved a similar measure back in 2022, when the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act unanimously. The bill ultimately stalled in the House and never reached then-President Joe Biden’s desk.
Now, with Trump publicly backing the effort, Republicans are reviving the push.
“Changing the clocks twice a year is an unnecessary, decades-old annoyance,” Buchanan said in remarks surrounding the bill’s advancement.
The debate over daylight saving time has frustrated Americans for years, particularly after the biannual time shifts disrupt sleep schedules, work routines, and school schedules.
Still, not everyone is on board with making daylight saving time permanent.
Critics warn the change could create dangerously dark winter mornings in large portions of the country, especially for children heading to school before sunrise. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., has been among the Republicans voicing concerns about the proposal.
Medical and sleep organizations have expressed support, with many experts arguing that permanent standard time better matches the body’s natural sleep cycle.
The U.S. previously experimented with year-round daylight saving time during the 1970s energy crisis, but the policy became unpopular after complaints about dark winter mornings grew.
Under current federal law, daylight saving time begins in March and ends in November. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not participate.
Nineteen states have already passed laws or resolutions supporting permanent daylight saving time if Congress authorizes the change nationwide.
For now, Americans will still need to change their clocks twice a year unless Congress finally sends the Sunshine Protection Act to Trump’s desk.
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