WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, voted this week in favor of legislation that would end the twice-yearly clock change by making daylight saving time permanent.
H.R. 139, known as the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, would repeal the seasonal daylight saving time schedule and move states that currently observe the time change to year-round daylight saving time. States and areas already exempt from daylight saving time could retain permanent standard time under the bill.
“The twice-a-year time change has long been a source of frustration for families, businesses and workers across the country,” Aderholt said. “I’ve heard from many constituents who simply want to pick one time and stick with it.”
The House Rules Committee cleared the legislation for floor consideration Monday. The House approved the rule governing debate Tuesday by a 215-211 vote.
Although Aderholt supported the measure, he said permanent daylight saving time could create safety concerns for students in north Alabama during winter.
“In December and January, permanent daylight saving time would mean the sun would not rise until nearly 8 a.m. in much of north Alabama,” Aderholt said. “That means many students would be standing at bus stops or walking to school before sunrise.”
Permanent daylight saving time would not create additional daylight. It would shift an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening during the months when Alabama currently observes standard time.
That would mean later winter sunrises and later winter sunsets. Summer schedules would remain largely unchanged because Alabama already observes daylight saving time during those months.
Aderholt said school systems, local communities and state leaders may need to consider changes if the legislation becomes law.
“Whether that means reviewing bus schedules, adjusting school start times where practical or identifying other commonsense solutions, we should make every effort to ensure children are not routinely waiting for the bus in the dark,” he said.
The bill was introduced Jan. 3, 2025, by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Florida. Its House and Senate versions have received bipartisan support, though permanent daylight saving time has remained the subject of debate because of concerns about darker winter mornings.
Supporters argue that ending the clock changes would provide greater consistency for families, businesses and travel while preserving more evening daylight.
Aderholt said he believes lawmakers can end the time changes while addressing local safety concerns.
“Like many Americans, I believe it’s time to end the twice-yearly ritual of changing our clocks,” he said. “As we move forward, we’ll continue working to ensure the transition is implemented in a way that best serves families here in Alabama.”
The legislation would still require Senate approval and the president’s signature before becoming law.
