WASHINGTON, May 21 - Bond.az reports that the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced the Sunshine Protection Act, aiming to make daylight saving time permanent.
The committee voted 48-1 in favor of the bill, which would likely be part of a five-year transportation bill.
Supporters argue that clock changes cause sleep disruptions, workplace injuries, and car crashes. Brighter evenings in winter could boost economic activity.
President Donald Trump praised the vote on social media, calling it time to stop worrying about the clock and the wasted effort and money on this twice-yearly ritual.
The bill still needs full House and Senate approval. Republican Senator Tom Cotton opposes it, warning of absurdly late winter sunrises and children going to school in darkness. States could opt out.
Representative Vern Buchanan, who has introduced the idea annually since 2018, proposed it again. It is popular in Florida, allowing more evening hours for golf and sports.
The Senate voted unanimously in March 2022, but the House never acted.
Representative Frank Pallone said permanent daylight saving time is safer and boosts tourism. "Let's stop changing the clocks twice a year."
Daylight saving time has been used in most of the U.S. since the 1960s. Year-round DST was tried during WWII and again in 1974 but was repealed due to unpopularity.
