Every year, millions of Americans engage in a collective groan as they adjust their clocks forward in the spring or back in the autumn. Beyond disrupted sleep schedules and missed appointments, the bi-annual routine has long been a source of public debate. Now, the effort to permanently eliminate the clock change has gained renewed momentum. With vocal backing from President Donald Trump, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Sunshine Protection Act, pushing the nation closer than ever to year-round Daylight Saving Time.
The Legislative Breakthrough: House Passes the Sunshine Protection Act
In mid-July 2026, the U.S. House voted overwhelmingly (308–117) to pass legislation that would lock in Daylight Saving Time permanently across the country. Introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), the measure aims to abolish the practice of resetting clocks twice a year, ensuring that extra evening sunlight remains a year-round staple.
The bill permits states that already observe permanent Standard Time—such as Hawaii and most of Arizona—to remain exempt. However, for the majority of the nation, the bill would mean saying goodbye to “falling back” in November.
While a similar proposal cleared the Senate via unanimous consent back in 2022 before stalling, the current push has gained unprecedented political energy, thanks in part to executive endorsement.
Trump’s Arguments: Cost, Convenience, and Popularity
President Donald Trump has been a vocal supporter of ending the clock change. Framing the practice as an unnecessary financial and administrative burden, Trump championed the Sunshine Protection Act on social media, posting that changing clocks costs taxpayers and local municipalities hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
“It’s time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice-yearly production,” Trump noted on Truth Social. “We are going with the far more popular alternative, Saving Daylight, which gives you a longer, brighter Day.”
Trump’s stance aligns with broad public sentiment. Polling consistently shows that a majority of Americans dislike switching their clocks twice annually, with a preference for permanent extra light in the evening rather than in the early morning.
Debate and Division: The Experts Weigh In
Despite the bipartisan support in Congress, the policy faces criticism from health and sleep experts.
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Proponents argue that permanent extra daylight in the evening encourages outdoor activities, benefits local businesses, reduces traffic accidents, and helps curb seasonal crime.
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Opponents and Sleep Scientists, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, advocate instead for permanent Standard Time. Medical experts warn that darker winter mornings—where sunrises in cities like Indianapolis or Dallas could occur as late as 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m.—can disrupt natural circadian rhythms, leading to sleep deprivation and potential safety concerns for children traveling to school in the dark.
What’s Next for the Bill?
With the House vote secured, the Sunshine Protection Act heads to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain. Senate leaders must decide whether to bring the House bill directly to the floor for a final vote. If approved by the Senate and signed into law by President Trump, the era of “springing forward” and “falling back” could officially come to an end.