U.S. House passes bill to make daylight saving time permanent, sends it to Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Sunshine Protection Act in a bipartisan 308-117 vote, advancing a proposal that would make daylight saving time permanent across the year. If enacted, the change would keep the current March-to-November clock setting in place year-round, which would leave the U.S. stock market’s opening time fixed at 9:30 p.m. in UTC+8 rather than shifting to 10:30 p.m. during standard time months. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it has not yet passed. Donald Trump has publicly backed the measure, arguing that the twice-yearly clock changes create significant economic costs and saying he will work to turn the proposal into law. Opposition has come from some Republicans, who argue that later winter sunrises could create safety issues for students heading to school in the dark or force later school start times. Supporters say ending the clock changes could improve sleep, reduce accidents, and support economic activity.