CONGRESS | America’s Clock Wars: Congress Moves Again to End Time Changes for Good

Congress is once again debating whether to make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent across the United States, with new legislation in the 119th Congress reviving the long-running “Sunshine Protection Act” push. The effort remains active but not yet enacted, meaning Americans will still change their clocks until a bill passes both chambers and is signed into law.​

The new push in Congress

• In the 119th Congress (2025–2026), the main vehicle in the House is H.R. 139, the “Sunshine Protection Act of 2025,” which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent nationwide.​

• The latest media coverage on January 19, 2026, describes a renewed bipartisan push to advance these measures after years of public frustration with twice‑yearly clock changes.​

Key bills and what they do

• H.R. 139 (Sunshine Protection Act of 2025) would amend federal law so that Daylight Saving Time becomes the year‑round standard time for most of the United States, effectively ending the “spring forward” and “fall back” clock changes.​

• In the Senate, the companion bill is S. 29, also titled the “Sunshine Protection Act of 2025,” introduced for the 119th Congress to mirror the House effort and keep the issue active in both chambers.​

Sponsors and supporting senators

• H.R. 139 is sponsored in the House by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R‑Florida), continuing his role as one of the leading advocates for making DST permanent.​

• S. 29 in the Senate is sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R‑Florida), who has championed the Sunshine Protection Act across multiple Congresses and previously steered an earlier version through the Senate by unanimous consent in 2022.​

Bipartisan backing and cosponsors

• H.R. 139 has drawn a mix of Republican and Democratic cosponsors, reflecting broad, bipartisan frustration with clock changes and support for later evening daylight; cosponsors include members from both Sun Belt and northern states.​

• S. 29 similarly has a bipartisan list of Senate cosponsors, with senators from both parties signing on to support permanent DST as a quality‑of‑life measure for families, businesses, and schools.​

Why supporters want permanent DST

• Supporters argue that permanent DST would reduce evening traffic accidents, provide more after‑work daylight for families, and potentially boost retail and recreational activity, citing past studies and prior congressional testimony.​

• They also point to polling that shows many Americans dislike changing their clocks twice a year and prefer a single, stable time system, even if there is still some disagreement over whether it should be permanent DST or permanent standard time.​

What happens next

• For permanent DST to become reality, H.R. 139 and S. 29 (or similar bills) must clear committees, pass the full House and Senate, and then be signed by the president before any effective date kicks in.​

• Until that happens, the United States will continue to follow the existing schedule, with clocks moving to Daylight Saving Time in March and back to standard time in November each year.