Senator Rick Scott has introduced the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act, to officially “lock the clock” and end the twice-yearly time change and make Daylight Saving Time the national year-round standard

U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), joined by their colleagues, have reintroduced the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act. The proposed legislation seeks to end the biannual clock changes by making Daylight Saving Time (DST) the permanent, year-round standard across the United States.

Senator Britt highlighted the strong public support for the initiative, saying, "Americans are ready to move past the outdated tradition of ‘falling back’ every year. Alabamians are calling for more sunlight, and this change benefits our mental and physical health. The Sunshine Protection Act would make daylight saving time permanent, and I’m grateful for Senator Rick Scott’s leadership in pushing to ‘lock the clock.’"

The twice-yearly clock adjustment has been a contentious issue in the U.S. In 2022, the Senate unanimously passed an earlier version of the Sunshine Protection Act, but the bill stalled in the House of Representatives due to differing opinions on whether to adopt permanent DST or permanent standard time.

Health experts have weighed in, with some advocating for permanent standard time as it aligns better with natural human circadian rhythms. Organizations such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine have expressed a preference for standard time over DST.

Public sentiment, however, seems to favor doing away with the clock changes altogether. A 2023 YouGov poll revealed that 62% of Americans support eliminating the biannual time adjustment, although opinions remain divided on whether to adopt permanent DST or standard time.

The reintroduction of the Sunshine Protection Act reflects ongoing efforts to resolve these debates and simplify timekeeping practices nationwide. If passed, the legislation would result in later sunrises and sunsets during the months currently observing standard time, effectively extending evening daylight throughout the year.