Could America Finally Stop Changing the Clocks?

Changing the clocks twice a year may be one step closer to becoming a thing of the past.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Sunshine Protection Act, legislation that would make daylight savings time permanent nationwide and eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes that happen each spring and fall.

Before anything changes, however, the bill must still pass the U.S. Senate and be signed into law by President Donald Trump.

What Would Change?

If the Sunshine Protection Act becomes law, most Americans would no longer "spring forward" in March or "fall back" in November.

Instead, the country would remain on daylight saving time year-round, meaning later sunsets throughout the winter months.

Supporters say keeping daylight saving time year-round could encourage more outdoor activity, reduce some traffic accidents, lower crime, and eliminate the inconvenience of changing clocks twice each year.

Read More: These New Laws Just Took Effect in Indiana

The Bill Still Faces A Senate Vote

The House approved the legislation by a 308-117 vote on Tuesday.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where its future is less certain.

A similar version of the legislation passed the Senate in 2022 but never received a vote in the House. This time, at least one senator has already indicated opposition, meaning the proposal could face a tougher path.

If the Senate approves the bill, it would then head to President Donald Trump, who has publicly voiced his support for making daylight saving time permanent.

Nothing Changes For Now

Despite Tuesday's vote, Americans should still expect to change their clocks this fall.

Federal law currently requires most states to observe daylight saving time, and that law cannot be changed unless Congress passes legislation and the president signs it.

Arizona and Hawaii remain the only states that do not observe daylight saving time.

For now, the familiar ritual of changing the clocks twice a year remains in place, but lawmakers are once again debating whether it's finally time to lock the clock.