The U.S. Senate has not advanced legislation to make daylight saving time permanent despite bipartisan support in the House, leaving the twice-annual clock change in place for now. The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July by a 308-117 vote, which would establish permanent daylight saving time nationwide. The bill has not moved forward in the Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated there is no clear path forward and no consensus among colleagues.
The debate over ending the clock change has gained momentum in recent months. President Donald Trump publicly urged Congress to act, posting on Truth Social that the current system is "a ridiculous clock changing process that takes place twice a year, costs our Country a fortune, is bad for Crime, stress on people, Sports, and just about everything else you can imagine." Trump’s remarks followed the House’s passage of the bill, which he has supported.
Supporters of the measure argue that permanent daylight saving time would provide more evening sunlight for families, businesses, and communities. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., told Fox News Digital that there’s no reason Americans should lose an hour of sunlight at the end of the day, emphasizing the benefits for safety and economic activity. The legislation would also align with public opinion: a 2023 AP/NORC poll found 56% of Americans favor permanent daylight saving time, compared to 42% who prefer permanent standard time.
However, the Senate has not scheduled a vote, and Thune has indicated that no consensus exists among senators on whether to advance the bill. The current system allows states to opt out of daylight saving time entirely, with Hawaii and most of Arizona already observing standard time year-round. States are not permitted to adopt permanent daylight saving time under existing federal law.
The push to end clock changes is not new. The U.S. previously tested permanent daylight saving time in the 1970s under President Richard Nixon, but the experiment lasted only 16 months before public frustration led to its reversal. The renewed effort reflects ongoing dissatisfaction with the biannual time change, which disrupts sleep patterns and has been linked to short-term health risks. The Senate’s inaction leaves the future of the legislation uncertain as the November time change approaches.