Trump scores clock war victory as House votes to KILL twice-yearly time change... but one hurdle could ruin it all

By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 00:29, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 00:30, 15 July 2026 House Republicans have approved a measure pressed by President Donald Trump to end daylight saving time, which switches the clocks twice a year. The Bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act passed with a vote of 308-117 on Tuesday afternoon, but still needs to clear the Senate, where it faces an uncertain fate. The House bill was backed by 193 Republicans, 114 Democrats, and one independent. Trump has repeatedly called for ending the clock changes, writing in a May Truth Social post, 'We are going with the far more popular alternative, Saving Daylight, which gives you a longer, brighter Day — And who can be against that — This is an easy one!' Localities that already observe permanent standard time and do not adjust their clocks would remain exempt from the change. The effort to make daylight saving time permanent has gotten pushback from health experts and some lawmakers representing Midwestern states who have deep connections to agricultural communities. However, lawmakers representing Southern and coastal states have argued that permanent daylight saving time would give Americans more daylight for evening activities during the winter. Golf course owners are one group who have backed the measure, saying the extra evening sunlight would boost business, which may partially explain Trump's passion for the issue. President Donald Trump gives thumbs-up as he boards Air Force One on May 20, 2026 Sunlight falls on the US Capitol as the sun sets, following a vote on the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent, and states with areas exempt from daylight saving time may choose the standard time for those areas, in Washington, DC on July 13, 2026 'It means more sunlight at the end of the day so Americans can return safely from work and children can return safely from school,' Kentucky Republican Brett Guthrie, who leads the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said before the bill advanced to the House floor. The legislation would allow states to opt out and remain on permanent standard time if they act before the law takes effect. The White House also endorsed the bill, calling it 'a popular, common-sense reform' that would preserve daylight during the hours when most Americans are awake and active. Medical groups, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, oppose permanent daylight saving time, arguing year-round standard time better aligns with the body's natural sleep cycle. Some lawmakers have echoed those concerns, warning that permanent daylight saving time could push winter sunrises past 9 am in parts of the country. Opponents have also pointed to Congress' failed experiment with permanent daylight saving time in the early 1970s, which was repealed within a year after public backlash over children waiting for school buses in the dark.