WASHINGTON — Americans may never have to change their clocks again — if the Senate agrees.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act on Tuesday, July 14, by a bipartisan vote of 308 to 117, moving the country one step closer to making daylight saving time permanent nationwide.
The bill would keep clocks set to the time currently observed from March to November and end the twice-yearly ritual of springing forward and falling back. States that currently observe standard time year-round, such as Hawaii and most of Arizona, could opt out.
When the bill passed, Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee played the opening bars of the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” from his phone into the microphone.
President Trump has said he would sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain.
In 2022, the Senate passed a similar measure, but it was never taken up in the House.
Sen. Tom Cotton has signaled he may ask Senate Majority Leader John Thune not to bring the legislation to a vote, citing concerns about dark early mornings in parts of the country where the sun would not rise until 9 a.m. or later.
