Time to do away with the time change? This Kentucky congressman says yes
By Josh James, Associated Press
July 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT
A Kentucky congressman is among the lawmakers on Capitol Hill championing efforts to make daylight saving time permanent.
It was welcome news for Americans who begrudgingly reset their clocks twice a year — this week the U.S. House of Representatives put its stamp of approval on the Sunshine Protection Act on a 308-117 vote.
As written, the bill would put the country on the time currently observed from March to November, though states would have a chance to opt out and stick with the usual time change.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0A69f0JMB4
Kentucky Rep. Brett Guthrie said the bill would bring more consistency while offering states room for exemptions.
"If Kentucky wants to stay on standard time, the governor can call them into special session and do so. I don't think they're going to do that, but... we've given states flexibility. We've given out country consistency. And I believe it's the right time to do it," Guthrie said.
Despite the strong support in the House and suggestions that the White House is on board, the bill still needs Senate backing and lawmakers in that chamber are sounding more hesitant about the possible change.
It's also not the first time the country has experimented with — or considered experimenting with — the time change.
In 1973, Congress passed a law instituting permanent daylight saving time for what was supposed to be a trial period from January 1974 to April 1975. It lasted until October, when it was repealed after public outcry. Among the concerns was worry that schoolchildren would have to get to class in darkness.
As written, the bill would put the country on the time currently observed from March to November, though states would have a chance to opt out and stick with the usual time change.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0A69f0JMB4
Kentucky Rep. Brett Guthrie said the bill would bring more consistency while offering states room for exemptions.
"If Kentucky wants to stay on standard time, the governor can call them into special session and do so. I don't think they're going to do that, but... we've given states flexibility. We've given out country consistency. And I believe it's the right time to do it," Guthrie said.
Despite the strong support in the House and suggestions that the White House is on board, the bill still needs Senate backing and lawmakers in that chamber are sounding more hesitant about the possible change.
It's also not the first time the country has experimented with — or considered experimenting with — the time change.
In 1973, Congress passed a law instituting permanent daylight saving time for what was supposed to be a trial period from January 1974 to April 1975. It lasted until October, when it was repealed after public outcry. Among the concerns was worry that schoolchildren would have to get to class in darkness.