The U.S. Capitol building is seen during “Salute to America 250” Fourth of July celebrations on the National Mall on July 04, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
12:10 PM – Wednesday, July 15, 2026

A bipartisan House majority passed the Sunshine Protection Act on Tuesday to lock in permanent Daylight Saving Time (DST), though the measure still requires Senate approval before reaching President Donald Trump’s desk.

On Tuesday, lawmakers voted 308–117 in favor of the bill to make DST permanent nationwide — ending the March-to-November constraint while allowing states the option to opt out and choose year-round Standard Time instead.

“For decades, we have accepted this ritual of springing forward and falling back, even though it disrupts routines, throws off our sleep and creates unnecessary frustration for families across the country,” Representative Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) said on Tuesday, noting her frustration over the bi-yearly change in her infant daughter’s sleep schedule.

“Let’s stop asking Americans to reset their clocks every March and November,” she continued. “Let’s provide some certainty and consistency and a little more sunshine at the end of the day.”

 

Lawmakers from both parties were split on the issue, with members from coastal areas, such as Florida and New Jersey, supporting it, and members from the Midwest and agricultural areas opposing it. Democrats were nearly evenly split, and only 22 Republicans voted against the measure.

Across the country, 19 states have already approved trigger legislation to permanently adopt DST if Congress authorizes the practice.

Hawaii and Arizona do not change their clocks twice a year, instead observing standard time year-round — which all other states only use from November through March, resulting in less evening sunlight. If the bill passes, it permits states already on year-round standard time to maintain their status, allowing both states to seamlessly keep their current winter-style time zones.

 

Supporters say the bill would end the twice-yearly disruption to daily routines, especially for children, while giving a welcome boost to tourism and outdoor recreation.

“More evening sunshine means more time with family and more time to enjoy our local restaurants, shops, and everything Florida has to offer,” Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) wrote on social media. “It’s common sense. Let’s get it done.”

Opponents argue that year-round DST would delay sunrises in Winter until after 9 a.m. in some areas, raising concerns about morning commutes in the dark and for farmers who might have to start work later. Others believe permanent standard time would better align with circadian rhythms, as it would create more sunlight in the morning.

 

“If we’re going to make a permanent change that affects every American, we should follow the science and prioritize Americans’ health, particularly that of the children,” stated Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Penn.), who prefers permanent standard time. She also noted that a brief period of year-round (DST) in 1974 was reversed by Congress after widespread discontent.

The legislation now heads to the Senate, and President Trump is expected to sign the act into law if it reaches his desk. While the president initially called to eliminate DST in 2024, he later changed his mind. By April 2025, he pivoted to supporting the exact opposite approach — making DST permanent. Currently, Trump strongly supports the House-passed Sunshine Protection Act and has urged Congress to pass it so he can sign it into law.

✅ JUST PASSED: The Sunshine Protection Act

It’s time to lock the clock. Twice a year, Americans have to disrupt their daily lives, springing forward and falling back an hour.

The Sunshine Protection Act ends that for good, meaning there's more light at the end of the day for… pic.twitter.com/duriGQPYKC

 — Energy and Commerce Committee (@HouseCommerce) July 14, 2026

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