Brookhaven Daily Leader
Will permanent Daylight Saving see the light at the end of this Congress?
By Brett Campbell
Protecting sunshine is a topic that shines in government circles in virtually every regular session of the U.S. Congress, and this 119th Congress is no different.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted July 14 to pass House Resolution 139, the “Sunshine Protection Act of 2025.” The act would make Daylight Saving Time permanent, meaning the clocks would not “fall back” or “spring forward” any longer, but remain permanently on the DST schedule.
A state that has exempted itself from DST (the Uniform Time Act of 1966) will continue on its standard time.
Rep. Michael Guest and Rep. Trent Kelly, both Republicans, voted in favor of the bill in a roll call vote. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat, voted against it.
HR 139 was advanced to the Senate, and is now in the hands of the Committee of Commerce, Science, and Transportation, as of July 15. Led by Chair Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ranking Member Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the committee is composed of 12 additional Democrats and 14 additional Republicans, included Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS).
If the bill returns to the full Senate for a vote, and is passed, President Donald Trump is expected to sign it into law. It would take effect immediately, or upon whatever date is specified within the final bill.
Sen. Wicker and fellow Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith have been proponents of the permanent change in the past, and are expected to maintain that position.
For its part, the Mississippi Legislature has a trigger law waiting, which approves permanent Daylight Saving Time if federal law is amended to allow it year-round.
If the Senate does not pass the bill and the president does not sign it into law prior to Nov. 1 when DST is scheduled to end this year, Americans should expect to set their clocks back one hour yet another time.