U.S. Congress passes motion to end twice-yearly time changes

Bill passes by 308-117 margin, still needs U.S. Senate approval

Article content The U.S. House of Representatives took a step toward ending the divisive practice of biannual time changes, passing a motion on Tuesday to make daylight time a year-round practice across the country. The motion passed by a 308-117 margin, although it still needs approval from the U.S. Senate before landing on the desk of President Donald Trump, who in the past has lambasted the practice as a “ridiculous, twice-yearly production.” It is not yet clear if the U.S. Senate will rubber-stamp Congress’s decision, which could trigger long-awaited changes in Canada.

Ontario passed the Time Amendment Act in 2020 to scrap the twice-yearly time changes, but only if Quebec and New York follow suit as well. Ontario waiting on Quebec, New York The Quebec government, however, has expressed reluctance in making the switch, while New York is not one of the 19 states that have enacted legislation or resolutions to provide for year-round daylight savings time, according to National Conference of State Legislatures. A spokesperson for the office of Premier Doug Ford said their position remains unchanged despite the House vote, saying they “won’t be changing our daylight saving practice unless Quebec and New York do.”

While it is unclear if Trump’s position on the matter has changed, according to CNN, he urged Republicans in May to end biannual time changes as it made for a “very nice win. “Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are spent every year by people, Cities, and States, being forced to change their Clocks,” he said at the time in a Truth Social post, via CNN. “It’s time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice-yearly production.”

RECOMMENDED VIDEO Divisive topic south of border That said, the issue has been a divisive one south of the border with proponents and critics pointing to similar issues, specifically economic and health benefits. Supporters believe the change to a permanent time could spur less seasonal depression, more economic activity and a drop in crime in the evenings, CNN reported. “There’s a lot of science on this and really the question is why do we still change our clocks?”

Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone said, via CNN. “That’s a question many of us ask every time we have to do it and it’s getting harder and harder to justify.” Critics, however, believe that keeping clocks unchanged over the course of the year could have negative consequences for farmers and endanger the lives of students heading to school in morning darkness.