The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Sunshine Protection Act by a 48-1 vote on May 21, 2026, to make daylight saving time permanent across the country [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. The measure was passed as part of the broader Motor Vehicle Modernization Act and will proceed to the full House for a vote [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].
The bill would eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes in spring and fall, keeping U.S. clocks permanently on daylight saving time year-round [9, 10, 11]. States that do not currently observe daylight saving time, including Hawaii and most of Arizona, would not be forced to adopt it under the legislation [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].
President Donald Trump expressed strong support for the bill on his social media platform Truth Social, promising to work to get it signed into law. He said the twice-yearly changes cost people, cities, and states hundreds of millions of dollars annually, particularly due to the heavy equipment needed to adjust tower clocks twice yearly. "This is so important in that Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are spent every year by people, Cities, and States, being forced to change their Clocks," Trump said [7]. He also called the measure a "very nice WIN for the Republican Party," describing permanent daylight saving time as the "far more popular alternative" that gives "a longer, brighter Day" [8].
The House version of the bill has 32 bipartisan cosponsors. A companion Senate bill, introduced by Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida, has 18 bipartisan cosponsors [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. Supporters argue permanent daylight saving time would benefit retail, dining, nightlife, and public services by providing more daylight after work hours and reducing clock-change costs [9, 10, 11].
Opponents raise concerns about darker winter mornings affecting early risers and schoolchildren, along with disrupted sleep patterns and potential health risks from altered circadian rhythms [9, 10, 11].
The House Energy and Commerce Committee also included the Sunshine Protection Act as a provision in an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act, which now heads to the House floor [8]. News coverage by Fox News and Anadolu Agency followed the committee's vote and Trump's endorsement on May 22 [7, 8].
The next step is a full House vote on the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act with the included Sunshine Protection Act provision. Lawmakers will debate the bill in the coming weeks.
