Daylight saving time could become permanent, sparking concern over later sunrises

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Sunshine Protection Act, CNN reported, a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent across most of the United States. If passed, the bill would end the twice-a-year clock change that disrupts sleep and daily routines.

With a bipartisan vote of 308 to 117, lawmakers approved H.R. 139, which eliminates the “fall back” in November and keeps clocks on daylight saving time year-round.

Subscribe to Chicago Star’s Weekly City Buzz Newsletter

What happens next?

The bill now moves to the Senate, where its path is uncertain despite years of interest in ending seasonal time changes.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who previously opposed the measure, said the main concern is ensuring “optionality for states” to opt out if needed, according to CBS News. Democratic Sen. Patty Murray urged Thune to bring the bill to a vote “as soon as possible,” but several senators from both parties have already voted against it, the report stated.

If the Senate passes the bill, it will go to President Donald Trump, who has publicly supported it and said the House passage was “Great News for America!” CBS News noted.

Read more on Chicago Star

• Oregon AG drops delay bid on $111B Paramount-Warner Bros. merger

• Blazing Bellingham scores for England, sends team to World Cup semifinals—Haaland fouls

• Bottoms up! Two Chicago beer festivals in July: Horner BrewFest & Ravenswood on Tap

• Chicago's economy is booming with record-high tourism 

• Tesla Robotaxi spotted in Chicago months after Waymo testing—no official launch date yet 

• No more appeals: Google's $4.7B Android monopoly fine is officially locked in

• Bel-Air estate, formerly owned by Elon Musk, hits market for nearly $50M

Supporters and detractors

Supporters argue that permanent daylight saving time will improve public safety, reduce seasonal depression, and encourage more active evening lifestyles, per CNN. According to the same report, people in favor of the change also say it will end the biannual disruption to children’s sleep schedules and provide more daylight in the evening all year.

Opponents, including many from agricultural districts, CNN noted, warn that later winter sunrises could harm farmers and endanger students commuting to school in the dark.

The bill allows states already exempt from daylight saving time—like Hawaii and most of Arizona—to remain on standard time, per CBS News. 

Daylight saving time was first adopted in the U.S. in 1918 to conserve fuel during World War I and was later used again in World War II for national security, CBS added. Despite its long history, studies show it has minimal impact on energy consumption and may come with negative health effects.

For now, Americans will continue switching clocks unless the Senate approves and President Trump signs the bill into law.