The US House on Tuesday voted in strong bipartisan fashion to enact year-round Daylight Saving Time across the country. But the measure’s fate in the Senate remains far from certain.
Senate Republican leaders have not said whether they will bring the bill – known as the “Sunshine Protection Act” – to a floor vote. Majority Leader John Thune has previously opposed efforts to default the nation to permanent Daylight Saving Time, but on Wednesday did not rule out scheduling a future floor vote.
Here’s what we know about what’s next:
Thune, who represents South Dakota, would not rule out bringing the bill to a vote when pressed by reporters on Wednesday – even though in the past, he opposed a similar push to adopt Daylight Saving Time year round.
He told reporters at the Capitol he believes the House bill provides optionality for states who use permanent standard time. The bill allows states to buck the switch to saving time, so long as they adopt permanent standard time before it takes effect. Residents in Hawaii, much of Arizona, and other US territories all observe permanent standard time.
