Trump-backed Daylight Saving Time bill clears key House hurdle

A bipartisan push to make Daylight Saving Time permanent is heading for a chamber-wide vote after clearing a key House hurdle.The House Rules Committee on Monday teed up a floor vote on the Sunshine Protection Act, which would allow states to enact Daylight Saving Time year-round — with an option to opt out. The committee approved the rule in a 6-4 vote.

The measure has the support of many coastal lawmakers and President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly urged Congress to make Daylight Saving Time permanent and end the twice-a-year ritual of changing clocks — a practice currently observed by every state except Hawaii and most of Arizona.Proponents argue that resetting clocks has negative health impacts, while permanent Daylight Saving Time would boost outdoor recreation, tourism and economic activity, among other benefits.CONGRESS EYES RARE BIPARTISAN HOUSING WIN WITH OR WITHOUT TRUMP'S HELPMost Americans already set their clocks forward one hour each spring to preserve more evening daylight before "falling back" one hour in November."

Americans are overwhelmingly supportive of this policy and want to end the practice of ‘springing forward’ and ‘falling back.' Locking the clock all year long would have positive impacts on sleep schedules, energy conservation, motor vehicle safety, and our economy," Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., said in an opening statement Monday."

In practice, this change would mean more time for people to exercise outside, visit family, attend concerts and sporting events, attract customers to their retail businesses, and more.""Floridians and Americans across the country are tired of the biannual time change, and the evidence is clear that permanent daylight saving time can improve public health, reduce traffic accidents, lower crime and encourage more outdoor activity," Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla.

, who authored the measure, previously said in a May news release. "Ending the clock change is a commonsense reform that will improve everyday life for mil