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Could America stop changing the clocks? Congress takes major step

For generations, Americans have followed the same routine twice a year: setting clocks forward each spring and back each fall. Now, Congress has taken one of its biggest steps yet toward ending that tradition. The House has approved the Sunshine Protection Act, legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent across most of the United States. If the measure ultimately becomes law, Americans would no longer turn their clocks back every November, ending the twice-yearly time change that has long been the subject of debate. Supporters argue the current system disrupts daily life for little benefit. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., who introduced the legislation, said changing the clocks twice a year interrupts Americans' schedules "for no good reason." Backers of permanent daylight saving time say keeping later sunsets year-round would encourage people to spend more time outdoors, benefit businesses that rely on evening customers and eliminate the disruption associated with changing clocks every spring and fall. The House approved the legislation by a 308-117 vote, but the proposal still faces significant hurdles. It must pass the Senate before it can be sent to President Donald Trump, who has previously said he would sign the bill and recently called it "great news for America." A Senate version of the Sunshine Protection Act was introduced last year but stalled after Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. objected. At this point, the Senate is not expected to move quickly on the legislation. MORE: https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/permanent-daylight-saving-time-would-mean-later-winter-sunrises-raising-safety-concerns-congress-trump-administration-winter-spring-forward-fall-backward-sunshine-protection-act-vern-buchanan-president-donald-trump-tom-cotton #congress #daylightsavingtime #politics #nationalnews #video -------------------------------------------------- For more on the story: https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/permanent-daylight-saving-time-would-mean-later-winter-sunrises-raising-safety-concerns-congress-trump-administration-winter-spring-forward-fall-backward-sunshine-protection-act-vern-buchanan-president-donald-trump-tom-cotton _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: https://www.facebook.com/KOMONews/ https://twitter.com/komonews http://instagram.com/komo4 https://www.tiktok.com/@komo4seattle Download our iOS App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/komo-news-mobile/id433508161?mt=8 Download our Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.newssynergy.komo&hl=en Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 206.404.4000 KOMO News (ABC 4) provides the latest breaking news, sports, weather, traffic, and local event coverage in the Seattle and Western Washington/Puget Sound area, including Bellevue, Redmond, Renton, Kent, Tacoma, Bellingham, Yakima, and surrounding communities. This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information, contact us at [email protected] #komo #komonews #komo4 #komo4news #seattle #seattlenews #washingtonnews