Congress Moves to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent Amid Historical Backlash

On July 14, 2026 the U.S. House of Representatives voted to advance the Sunshine Protection Act, which would keep daylight-saving time year-round and eliminate the twice-annual clock change. The measure, which the article says was “approved by President Donald Trump,” still requires Senate approval before becoming law.

Tallahasee Democrat

Daylight-saving time was first introduced in 1918, repealed after World I, reinstated during World II, and standardized nationwide in 1966. A notable peacetime experiment occurred in the 1970s: the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act made the change permanent on Jan. 6, 1974. “It didn’t even last a year.” The early-morning darkness led to a spike in traffic accidents; by the end of January, eight Florida schoolchildren died compared with two the previous year. A Florida education department spokesman said, “six of the deaths were clearly attributable to the fact that children were going off to school in darkness.” Public support collapsed from 79 % to 42 % by February, prompting a special session of the Florida Legislature and calls from then-Governor Reubin Askew and Senator Lawton Chiles to repeal the measure.

Tallahasee Democrat

Medical and sleep-health organizations have warned that permanent daylight saving time would worsen morning safety and disrupt circadian rhythms. “The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Medical Association and the National Sleep Foundation have all urged for a change to year-round standard time.” Analysts note that with no “fall back,” sunrise in December would be around 8:18 a.m., leaving many children in darkness before school.

Tallahasee Democrat

While Florida led the push for permanent daylight saving time—passing a state law in 2018 to “lock the clock”—the Sunshine for Our Kids Act of 2026, filed on July 9 by House members, seeks to make standard time permanent instead. Lawmakers Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania and Pat Harrigan of North Carolina are sponsoring the alternative proposal.

Tallahasee Democrat

• “six of the deaths were clearly attributable to the fact that children were going off to school in darkness.” — Florida education department spokesman

Tallahasee Democrat

• “American approval of the permanent change, which was 79% before it was enacted, plummeted to just 42% by February.” — The New York Times

Tallahasee Democrat

• “It didn't even last a year.” — Historical account of the 1974 experiment

Tallahasee Democrat

• “The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Medical Association and the National Sleep Foundation have all urged for a change to year-round standard time, and the "Sunshine for Our Kids Act of 2026," filed on July 9 by Reps.” — Article statement

Tallahasee Democrat

• “, well after most kids were in school.” — Article description

Tallahasee Democrat

• “Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania and Pat Harrigan of North Carolina, would make standard time permanent instead.” — Article statement

Tallahasee Democrat