In a surprising move, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 308‑117 on the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight‑savings time permanent for the entire country. The bill will now move to the Senate for its take‑up in the coming weeks.
Under the proposal, clocks would advance once a year and never roll back, leaving the U.S. in “permanent standard time” from March to November. Supporters claim the change saves energy, reduces traffic accidents, and simplifies daily schedules—while critics warn that darker winter mornings could increase hazards and disrupt circadian rhythms.
Daylight‑saving time originally appeared during World War I to conserve electricity, was removed post‑war, returned in World War II, and was standardized nationwide in 1966. Arizona, Hawaii, and some territories have opted out of the practice.
For a deeper look at the history of U.S. time‑change policy, read this in‑depth article.
