U.S. House of Representative passes bill to ‘ditch the switch’ and make daylight saving time permanent

US House passes bill to make daylight saving time permanent

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday that would make daylight saving time permanent, a move proponents say would provide more daylight during the hours Americans are most active. The vote was 308-117, as reported by both the South China Morning Post and The Hindu.

Daylight saving time is the period between spring and fall when clocks in most parts of the United States are set one hour ahead of standard time. Under the bill, states could opt out if their respective legislatures act to do so before the bill's enactment. The Senate would also have to pass the bill before it could be signed into law, but it is unclear if it will do so, according to coverage in both outlets.

Coverage comparison

The South China Morning Post highlighted the potential impact of the change, with a slightly sensationalized framing that emphasized the slogan "ditch the switch." The Hindu offered a more neutral and informative tone, focusing on the bill's passage and its potential benefits, while also noting the procedural path the legislation must still traverse.

Key claims

Congressman Gus Bilirakis, a Republican from Florida, said Americans are ready to "ditch the switch," arguing that changing the clock twice a year creates unnecessary disruption. He said the change would give families more daylight time in the evening to spend outdoors and support local businesses.

Detractors said permanent daylight saving time would lead to darker and potentially more hazardous winter mornings, with children waiting for school buses and parents driving to work in darkness. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, said, "Millions of Americans will wake up during the winter months in complete darkness with the sun not rising until long after people get up and travel to school or work or have to go about their days."

Representative Jim McGovern, a Democrat from Massachusetts, said he supported the bill but questioned whether it was the best way for Congress to be spending its time. "For folks getting crushed by rent, groceries, utility bills and healthcare costs, is this really the best the majority can do?" Mr. McGovern said. "Is this really the most pressing issue before the American people at this moment?"

A 2025 poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that most Americans prefer to keep the extra hour of daylight in the evening. More than half of adults, 56%, prefer making daylight saving time permanent, with less light in the morning and more light in the evening.