U.S. House to vote on permanent daylight‑saving time

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote next week on the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight‑saving time permanent nationwide while permitting individual states to opt out. The measure passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee 48‑1 in May and follows a unanimous Senate vote in March 2022 that never advanced in the House. Supporters argue that the time change causes sleep disturbances, higher workplace injuries and more car crashes, and that brighter winter evenings would boost economic activity and safety. Former President Donald Trump has urged an end to the twice‑annual clock change. Opposition comes from Sen. Tom Cotton, who warns that permanent daylight‑saving time would produce very late winter sunrises and force children to travel to school in darkness. The bill is backed by Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida, who says it would give more evening hours for recreation, and by Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, who says it would improve safety and tourism. The United States previously observed year‑round daylight‑saving time during World War II and briefly in 1974 before repealing the practice.