The US House of Representatives voted to standardize daylight saving time year-round on Tuesday.

The Details: The "Sunshine Protection Act," H.R. 139, passed 308-117 and now heads to the US Senate. Proponents suggest the extension of daylight would boost the economy through increased outdoor recreation, support healthy circadian rhythms, and end general disruptions and confusion. Detractors suggest it would hurt the economy through decreased farming efficiency and further vulnerate individuals – particularly children – during dark morning commutes. Fox News (Right bias) emphasized that "skeptics warn it would push winter sunrises past 9 am in some places."

How The Media Covered It: The House Energy and Commerce Committee's press release only gave voice to Republican lawmakers, but many outlets highlighted some bipartisan support. Fox reported on perspectives adjacent to the traditional political spectrum, stating, "The legislation divided lawmakers in both parties, with members largely from coastal areas, such as Louisiana, Florida and New Jersey, supporting permanent daylight saving time and others from the Midwest and agriculture-heavy states opposing it." Associated Press (Lean Left) quoted Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), who supported the bill but criticized, "Is this really the most pressing issue before the American people at this moment?" Outlets across the spectrum highlighted the White House's support but reported on remaining uncertainty as it heads to the Senate.

Public Opinion: BBC (Center) reported that one third of countries follow daylight saving policies. Fox News and Associated Press cited a Dec. 2025 poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The research found that 56% of US adults were partial to daylight saving time over standard time (40%), but 40% of respondents had no opinion on the matter. Only 12% favored the current, alternating system.

For Context: States may opt out of the standardization if it becomes set for federal law. Arizona and Hawaii currently opt out of the existing system and remain in standard time year-round; the Uniform Time Act of 1966 allows states to opt out of daylight saving but prohibits its year-round standardization. Senate approved the first "Sunshine Protection Act" in March 2022, but the measure – then H.R. 69 – stalled in the House. The US first adopted daylight saving in 1918 as a fuel conservation effort during the first world war. It established year-round daylight saving in 1974 but reversed the measure that same year due to opposition.

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