US House to Vote on Bill Making Daylight Saving Time Permanent

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote next week on legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent across the country, according to a notice posted Thursday. The move revives a long-standing debate over the economic and health impacts of the biannual clock change.

Renewed Legislative Push

The bill, known as the Sunshine Protection Act, received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House Energy and Commerce Committee in May, passing with a 48-1 vote. The legislation would allow individual states to opt out and remain on standard time if they choose.

A similar effort gained traction in March 2022 when the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to make daylight saving time permanent. However, the House at that time did not take up the measure due to opposition and a lack of consensus. If the bill passes the House, it will once again require Senate approval.

The Economic and Safety Debate

Proponents argue that ending the time shift would have positive effects on public health and the economy. Supporters cited by Reuters point to disruptions in sleep patterns, an increase in workplace injuries, and a rise in car crashes that often accompany the clock changes.

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Advocates also believe that providing an extra hour of evening daylight year-round could stimulate economic activity, particularly in the tourism and recreation sectors. Representative Frank Pallone, a Democrat from New Jersey, said permanent daylight saving time would be "better for safety and will boost New Jersey’s tourism industry."

Historical Precedent and Opposition

Despite the bill's momentum, it faces opposition from some lawmakers. U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, has previously argued against the change, warning it would result in extremely late winter sunrises and force children to travel to school in darkness across much of the nation.

The U.S. has experimented with permanent daylight saving time before. It was enacted in 1974 in an effort to conserve energy but proved to be deeply unpopular with the public, leading Congress to repeal it before the year ended.