House Republicans have proposed legislation to establish year-round daylight saving time across the United States, a move strongly endorsed by President Donald Trump. The House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced the Sunshine Protection Act, which would permit states to adopt permanent daylight saving time and eliminate the annual clock changes.
Matt VanHyfte, the committee’s communications director, stated in recent remarks that addressing daylight saving time has been “a priority for a number of members for a while now.” He noted testimony from last November’s hearing indicated an extra hour of sunlight at day’s end boosts economic activity while shifting clocks creates highway safety risks—linked to surges in traffic fatalities during transition periods.
The committee previously extended daylight saving time in 2007 and is now advancing reforms through the Sunshine Protection Act. It aims to integrate this legislation into a major legislative package for upcoming vote proceedings. Trump has consistently advocated for year-round daylight saving time, citing bipartisan support, and recently asserted: “We’re working on a bill now, and we’re going to be doing it.” He added: “I hope we’re going to do it. We’re pushing it very hard.”
Opposition concerns include warnings that permanent daylight saving time would delay sunrise until after 9 a.m. in some regions. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) cautioned such legislation could “again make winter a dark and dismal time for millions of Americans.” A 2025 AP-NORC poll found only 12% of Americans support biannual clock changes, reflecting ongoing debate between standard time—yielding lighter mornings and darker evenings—and daylight saving time—which provides darker mornings and lighter evenings.
In 2022, senators unanimously passed a bill to make daylight saving time permanent, though it stalled in the House of Representatives.
