For decades, Americans have adjusted their clocks twice a year, losing or gaining an hour as daylight saving time begins and ends. That long-standing routine could soon become a thing of the past after a major vote in Washington.
On July 14, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 139, the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill that would make daylight saving time (DST) permanent across most of the United States. The proposal, often described as an effort to “ditch the switch,” cleared the House with a 308-117 vote, marking the strongest congressional push in years to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain.
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Sunshine Protection Act 2025: Official House Vote and Key Details
The bill would make the current daylight saving time schedule the permanent, year-round standard for most of the U.S., eliminating the annual spring forward in March and fall back in November.
| Official Detail | Information |
| Bill | H.R. 139 – Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 |
| House Vote Date | July 14, 2026 |
| Vote Result | 308-117 |
| Yea | 308 |
| Nay | 117 |
| Not Voting | 6 |
| Proposed Effective Date | Following year (likely 2027, depending on final enactment) |
| Next Step | Senate consideration |
If the legislation becomes law, states would be allowed to opt out through legislative action before implementation and remain on standard time.
The measure applies to regions that currently observe daylight saving time. It does not affect Hawaii, most of Arizona, or U.S. territories that do not observe DST.
Who Backed the Bill and Why It Advanced
The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16) and received bipartisan support from roughly 32-34 House cosponsors. Among its key supporters were Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The proposal had already advanced through the committee earlier in 2026.
This is not Congress’ first attempt. A similar version passed the Senate by unanimous consent in March 2022 during the 117th Congress, but it stalled in the House before expiring.
The House vote reflected broad bipartisan backing, with approximately 194 Republicans and 114 Democrats voting in favor. Opposition was more concentrated among Democrats, while six lawmakers did not vote. Following passage, the motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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President Donald Trump Supports Permanent Daylight Saving Time
President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the legislation, calling it a “WIN” that would eliminate the inconvenience of changing clocks twice a year.
The White House also described permanent daylight saving time as a “popular, common-sense reform” and said advisers would recommend signing the bill if it reaches the president’s desk.
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Why Supporters Want to ‘Ditch the Switch’
Supporters argue that keeping daylight saving time year-round would provide more evening daylight for outdoor activities, sports, tourism, retail businesses, and family life. They also believe it would improve consistency, reduce disruptions caused by clock changes, and may lower energy use in some situations.
Polling, including AP-NORC surveys, has shown that around 56% of Americans prefer permanent daylight saving time over permanent standard time when asked to choose between the two, largely because of later sunsets.
Momentum has also grown at the state level, with more than 19 states passing laws or resolutions supporting permanent DST. Florida’s 2018 initiative remains one of the earliest high-profile efforts.
Why the Bill Still Faces Opposition in the Senate
Despite overwhelming House approval, the legislation faces a tougher path in the Senate. A companion measure, S. 29, introduced by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) with bipartisan cosponsors, remains available, but Senate approval is not guaranteed.
Critics warn that permanent daylight saving time would result in much darker winter mornings, with sunrise occurring after 8 a.m. in many areas. Medical groups have expressed concerns about school safety, morning commutes, sleep disruption, heart-related risks, and the impact on circadian rhythms.
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Opposition has been strongest in northern and western states, where winter mornings are already especially dark. Some lawmakers, including Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), have also questioned whether Congress should prioritize the issue over broader economic concerns.
The debate is also shaped by history. A nationwide experiment with year-round daylight saving time in 1974, introduced during the energy crisis, was quickly reversed after public backlash over dark winter mornings.
For now, the House has delivered the most significant breakthrough yet for permanent daylight saving time. Whether Americans permanently stop changing their clocks will depend on the Senate’s decision and, ultimately, whether the legislation is signed into law.
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