On July 15, 2026, the US House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at making daylight saving time permanent across the United States. The bill, introduced by Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL), passed with a vote of 245-189, with support from both parties.
The legislation would eliminate the biannual clock change, keeping the country on daylight saving time year-round. This means clocks would not be set back in the fall, resulting in later sunsets during winter months. The bill now moves to the Senate, where a similar measure failed to advance in 2022.
Proponents argue that permanent daylight saving time could boost economic activity, reduce energy consumption, and improve public health by reducing disruptions to sleep patterns. Critics, however, raise concerns about darker mornings in winter, which could affect school children and early workers.
The Senate is expected to consider the bill in the coming weeks. If passed and signed into law, the change would take effect in November 2026, pending approval from the Department of Transportation.
