The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act on Tuesday, voting to make daylight saving time permanent and end the practice of changing clocks twice a year. If signed into law, Americans would no longer set clocks forward in spring or back in fall, remaining on extended evening daylight year-round.

The bill passed with broad bipartisan backing, reflecting years of growing public frustration with the semiannual time change. Proponents argue that permanent daylight saving time would benefit public health by reducing sleep disruption, boost economic activity by extending evening daylight hours for commerce and recreation, and improve road safety by reducing accident rates associated with the clock shift.

The Sunshine Protection Act has been introduced in various forms over multiple congressional sessions, and a similar measure passed the Senate unanimously in 2022 before stalling in the House. This time, the dynamic is reversed, with the House acting first and sending the measure to the Senate for consideration.

Opponents of the bill, including some sleep researchers and medical groups, have historically argued that permanent standard time — not daylight saving time — would better align with human circadian rhythms and natural light patterns. Critics contend that keeping clocks permanently one hour ahead means darker winter mornings, which could affect school children commuting before sunrise in northern states.

The legislation's path through the Senate remains uncertain, though the issue has attracted supporters from both parties. Should the Senate pass the bill, it would head to President Trump for signature. Many U.S. states have already passed their own legislation in anticipation of federal action, though those state laws cannot take effect without congressional approval.