Trump-Backed Daylight Saving Time Bill Clears Key House Hurdle

Legislation backed by President Donald Trump that would allow states to observe Daylight Saving Time year-round has cleared a major hurdle in the House of Representatives, moving one step closer to ending the twice-yearly clock changes.

The House Rules Committee voted 6-4 to advance the Sunshine Protection Act to the full House for consideration. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida, would permit states to remain on Daylight Saving Time permanently while allowing states that prefer not to participate to opt out.

President Trump has strongly endorsed the proposal, arguing that Americans are tired of changing their clocks twice a year. He has said permanent Daylight Saving Time would provide more evening daylight, eliminate an unnecessary inconvenience, and reduce costs associated with the current system.

Supporters of the legislation say ending the twice-annual time changes would improve quality of life, reduce sleep disruption, boost economic activity, and provide additional daylight during evening hours. Nearly 20 states have already passed laws that would allow them to adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time if Congress grants the necessary authority.

The proposal has bipartisan support, but some lawmakers continue to oppose permanent Daylight Saving Time. Critics argue that darker winter mornings could create safety concerns for children traveling to school and contend that permanent standard time better aligns with natural sleep patterns. An amendment that would have instead favored permanent standard time was rejected by the Rules Committee.

A similar version of the Sunshine Protection Act passed the Senate unanimously in 2022 but stalled in the House before reaching the president’s desk. If the current bill passes the House, it will return to the Senate before it can be signed into law by President Trump.