The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent, a move that has been supported by President Donald Trump. The Sunshine Protection Act, which aims to end the semiannual changing of clocks, was voted in favor of by the House Energy and Commerce Committee in May.

Background

Daylight saving time has been in place in nearly all of the United States since the 1960s, with the exception of Arizona and Hawaii. However, the time shift has been criticized for causing sleep disturbances, greater workplace injuries, and more car crashes. Supporters of the bill believe that permanent daylight saving time would encourage more economic activity during winter and improve safety.

Some experts, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Medical Association, and the National Sleep Foundation, have called for year-round standard time, citing its benefits for brain health. However, the proposal has been met with opposition from some lawmakers, including U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, who argues that it would result in “absurdly late” winter sunrises and force children to walk to school in the dark.

Previous Attempts

The United States has previously used year-round daylight saving time during World War II and in 1974, but both attempts were short-lived. The current bill would allow states to opt out of the permanent daylight saving time if they choose to do so.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut (Hartford) — read the source article.