House Passes Sunshine Protection Act to End Clock Changes

The United States House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act on July 14, 2026, in a 308-117 vote. The bipartisan legislation would make daylight saving time permanent across most of the country and eliminate the biannual practice of changing clocks in March and November. President Donald Trump has strongly championed the measure, describing the current system as a "ridiculous, twice yearly production" and claiming it would be a "win for the Republican Party."

While the bill now moves to the U.S. Senate, its future remains uncertain. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed doubt that the measure could garner the 60 votes required for passage, citing a geographic divide in support. Senator Tom Cotton is a leading opponent, arguing that permanent daylight saving time would force children and workers to commute in dangerous darkness during winter mornings.

Alternative proposals have emerged, such as the Sunshine for Our Kids Act of 2026, which advocates for permanent standard time. Medical organizations, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Medical Association, support ending clock shifts but argue that permanent standard time is the healthier choice for human circadian rhythms. Parallel efforts to end seasonal changes are also occurring in Canada, where provinces like British Columbia and Alberta have already adopted fixed time settings.