The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act with a vote of 308-117, aiming to eliminate the biannual clock changes for daylight saving time. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain.
The U.S. House of Representatives took a significant step towards making daylight saving time permanent on Tuesday, March 15, 2023, by passing the Sunshine Protection Act. The legislation, which passed with a bipartisan vote of 308-117, seeks to remove the necessity for Americans to adjust their clocks twice a year, thereby maintaining daylight saving time year-round unless a state opts out before the act takes effect.
Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., who oversaw the vote, celebrated the moment by playing the Beatles’ classic “Here Comes the Sun” on his phone as the final tally was announced. The act, primarily sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., has garnered significant attention, especially following public support from former President Donald Trump. Trump expressed his intention to advocate for the bill on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, “It’s time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice yearly production.” Trump framed the legislation as a potential political win for the Republican Party.
Following its passage in the House, the Sunshine Protection Act now heads to the Senate for further consideration. However, analysts and lawmakers express skepticism regarding the Senate’s readiness to adopt the legislation, particularly given the history of similar proposals stalling in the upper chamber. A previous Senate version of the Sunshine Protection Act faced significant hurdles last year when Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., objected to fast-tracking the bill via unanimous consent, raising concerns about potential adverse effects, such as late sunrises in certain regions, which could lead to safety issues during morning commutes.
Senate Concerns and Potential Roadblocks
A senior aide on Capitol Hill indicated that Cotton maintains his previous concerns about the proposal. The aide noted that several senators from both parties have expressed reservations about the Senate version of the Sunshine Protection Act during committee discussions. Cotton reportedly plans to ask Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to refrain from bringing the legislation to a vote. In comments to NBC News, Thune acknowledged the strong interest from House members, stating, “I just don’t think we want a mandate, and that was tried once before and repealed, but we’re looking at it.”
While some lawmakers, like Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., expressed optimism regarding the House’s passage, he remains doubtful about the Senate’s willingness to follow suit. Burchett noted that his constituents are eager for a permanent change, but he is cautious about the Senate’s likely response. In contrast, Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., highlighted the mental health benefits of eliminating the biannual clock change, stating, “I think it’s popular. It shouldn’t be controversial. It should be bipartisan. It saves money.” He emphasized that the transition impacts people’s mental well-being and daily routines.
Public Opinion and Historical Context
Public sentiment largely favors the elimination of clock changes. A 2025 AP-NORC poll indicated that many Americans find changing the clock twice a year to be an inconvenience. However, opinions remain divided on the specifics of how to implement a permanent solution. Congress has attempted to address the issue multiple times in the past; notably, in 2022, the Senate unanimously voted to make daylight saving time permanent, but the measure did not advance in the House.
Historically, daylight saving time has been a contentious topic in the United States. In the 1970s, during an energy crisis, President Richard Nixon signed legislation that briefly established year-round daylight saving time, only to have it repealed due to widespread disapproval of dark mornings. Currently, 19 states have passed legislation allowing for year-round daylight saving time if Congress makes a similar change.
Daylight saving time was first implemented nationwide with the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which standardized the practice of moving clocks forward by one hour in March and back by one hour in November. The practice was initially adopted as a wartime measure during World War I and World War II, aimed at conserving energy. Notably, states like Arizona and Hawaii, along with several U.S. territories, do not observe daylight saving time.
As the Sunshine Protection Act moves to the Senate, the future of permanent daylight saving time remains uncertain, with legislative and public opinion factors likely influencing the outcome.
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