A major push to end America’s twice-a-year clock changes moved forward Thursday after a House committee overwhelmingly approved legislation that would keep daylight saving time in place throughout the entire year.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 48-1 to advance the Sunshine Protection Act, a proposal aimed at eliminating the long-criticized ritual of changing clocks every spring and fall. The measure is expected to be folded into a broader five-year transportation package.

Backers of the legislation argue that switching the clocks disrupts sleep, contributes to more traffic accidents, and leads to an increase in workplace injuries. Advocates also say extended evening daylight during the winter months would encourage shopping, recreation, and other economic activity.

President Trump applauded the committee’s action in a social media post, writing that it’s “time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice yearly production.”

Despite the strong committee vote, the proposal still faces several hurdles. It must first clear the full House before heading to the Senate, where opposition remains from Sen. Tom Cotton and other lawmakers.

Cotton has argued that permanent daylight saving time would create unreasonably dark winter mornings, with many children forced to travel to school before sunrise across large portions of the country. Under the proposal, states would still have the ability to opt out of the system.

Rep. Vern Buchanan, who has introduced versions of the legislation every year since 2018, once again spearheaded the effort this year. The concept has drawn strong support in Florida, where supporters say extra evening daylight would benefit golf courses, youth sports, and outdoor activities.

The Senate previously approved the proposal unanimously in March 2022, but the legislation ultimately stalled when the House never brought it up for a vote.

Rep. Frank Pallone said permanent daylight saving time is “better for safety and will boost New Jersey’s tourism industry. Let’s stop ⁠changing the clocks twice a year.”

Daylight saving time, which moves clocks ahead by one hour during the warmer months, has been observed across nearly all of the United States since the 1960s.

The country previously experimented with year-round daylight saving time during World War II and again in 1974 during an effort to conserve energy. That later attempt, however, quickly became unpopular and was repealed within the same year.

{Matzav.com}