House Approves Bill to End Clock Changes and Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

• The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act by a 308-117 vote on July 14, 2026, aiming to eliminate the biannual clock adjustments Americans currently make each spring and fall. The bill would lock the nation into the daylight saving schedule observed from March through November.

• The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), carries strong presidential backing. In a May 21 Truth Social post, President Donald Trump vowed to fight for its passage, calling the twice-yearly clock switch a "ridiculous" and costly production while framing the measure as a political victory for Republicans.

• The bill includes a notable flexibility clause: individual states could exempt themselves from permanent daylight saving time before the law takes effect, preserving some local control over timekeeping decisions.

• The Senate presents a far tougher hurdle, and quick passage appears unlikely. A previous Senate version stalled last October after Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) blocked its fast-tracking, and a senior aide confirmed Cotton retains the "same concerns" while planning to urge Majority Leader John Thune not to schedule a vote.

• Cotton's objections center on practical downsides, including regions where sunrise wouldn't occur until 9 a.m. or later, creating dark morning commutes and forcing early-shift workers to operate before daylight—concerns shared by senators from both parties.

• Senate leadership remains noncommittal. Thune told NBC News he doesn't favor a federal "mandate," noting a similar approach was previously tried and repealed, though he acknowledged mixed interest among his colleagues.

Analysis: While bipartisan frustration with clock changes fuels momentum, the debate reveals deeper disagreement over whether permanent daylight or standard time is the better solution.