House Committee Advances Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

A House committee voted 48-1 on Thursday to advance the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent year-round. The legislation would likely be included in a five-year transportation bill. Supporters of the measure said the twice-yearly time shift causes sleep disturbances, greater workplace injuries and more car crashes.

They also said brighter evenings would increase economic activity during winter months. President Trump praised the committee vote on social media. He said it is time for people to stop worrying about the clock and the work and money spent on the twice-yearly change.

Daylight saving time has been in place in nearly all of the United States since the 1960s. Year-round daylight saving time was used during World War Two and again in 1974 to reduce energy use, but the 1974 change was repealed later that year. The bill would allow states to opt out.

It still must pass the full House and then be considered by the Senate. Representative Vern Buchanan, who has proposed the idea every year since 2018, introduced the current version. The plan is popular in his home state of Florida because it would allow more evening hours for outdoor activities.

Representative Frank Pallone said permanent daylight saving time is better for safety and will boost New Jersey's tourism industry. He said the twice-yearly clock changes should stop.