Tennessee One Step Closer To Permanent Daylight Saving Time After Congressional Vote

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Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –

Tennessee’s trigger law which would put the state on permanent daylight saving time (DST) is one step closer to fruition as the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Sunshine Protection Act while a separate bill has been introduced which would place the country on permanent standard time, reigniting a debate about which direction clocks should be locked.

On July 14, the House passed the Sunshine Protection Act that would eliminate the need to change clocks twice a year and immediately impact Tennessee as it is one of several states that has previously passed legislation declaring the state will observe DST year-round contingent on congressional action, which is required for states to be allowed to opt into permanent DST. 

Currently, states can choose to observe standard time year-round, as Hawaii and most of Arizona do, but cannot do the opposite without congressional approval.

The Act saw bipartisan support, with Tennessee Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais, who presided over the vote on the House floor, playing the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” on his phone as he read the final tally. President Trump has also supported the Act, repeatedly calling to end the biannual time shift. 

Now that the Act has passed the House in a 308-117 vote, it will move to the Senate, though some lawmakers remain vocally opposed, including Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas who reportedly may ask Majority Leader John Thune to keep the bill from coming to the floor. Skepticism remains over whether the bill can clear Congress’ second chamber.

However, should the bill ultimately pass, Tennesseans will see impacts in the winter months as the state already observes DST from March until November. On permanent DST, Nashville’s earliest winter sunset will go from 4:32 p.m. to 5:32 p.m. but will also not see sunrise until nearly 8 a.m. during winter’s shortest days.

And while many people may not think an 8 o’clock sunrise is too late, Middle Tennessee actually sees one of the earliest sunrises in the country, meaning daylight in other parts of the state and country will come even later. In some parts of the U.S., the sun won’t rise until after 9 a.m. while other areas won’t see the sun until after 10 a.m.

For those inclined to more morning light and earlier evening sunsets, an opposing bipartisan bill to the Sunshine Protection Act has been introduced which would make standard time the national default and allow states to choose whether to observe daylight saving time.

Introduced July 9, the Sunshine for Our Kids Act of 2026 takes the opposite approach to the Sunshine Protection Act while still empowering state legislatures to make their own decisions about handling the time change. Almost two dozen states considered bills supporting permanent standard time during this year’s legislative session, although many, including Tennessee’s attempt, expired or were killed.

“The Sunshine for Our Kids Act will not only help children and teens during the most important years for mental and physical development, but will also promote public health and safety in our communities,” said bill sponsor Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pennsylvania).

Public opinion remains divided over the time change issue. While the majority of Americans do support ending clock changes, there continues to be discrepancy about which system to utilize. 

The United States has unsuccessfully attempted to implement permanent DST several times previously, most recently in 1973 under President Nixon, but enthusiasm quickly waned as Americans experienced late wintertime sunrises and parents sending children off to school in the dark raised safety concerns after multiple nationwide incidents were reported of children being fatally struck by vehicles.

Support for the new law decreased so rapidly that Congress retracted its actions by October of 1974 and reverted to the four months of standard time.

But economists and other pro-business advocates maintain that an extra hour of evening sun from DST will allow for more family time after school or the ability to patronize businesses and other activities which may be cut short in the fall and winter because of the earlier darkness. 

On the flip side, every major sleep society and many other health experts continue to advocate for year-round standard time, arguing it better aligns with natural circadian rhythms and melatonin production, particularly for children and teenagers, and observing the negative health impacts experienced by Americans on DST, including increased risk of heart attacks and strokes and upticks in traffic accidents and workplace injuries.

But until action is taken in the Senate, Tennessee, along with the majority of the rest of the country, will continue to change the clocks as the debate continues and more legislative efforts are undertaken. 

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.