The annual ritual of “spring forward, fall back” may soon be a thing of the past. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a measure to make daylight saving time permanent. The bill would eliminate a practice that many see as inconvenient, but both parties remain divided on the issue, with proponents saying the change would be more convenient and benefit Americans’ mental health, while critics warn that the change has been tried before and failed because of safety and logistical concerns.

House votes to keep daylight saving time year-round

The House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to approve the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide. The bill easily passed the House in a 308-117 vote.

Currently, daylight saving time operates in the United States for most of the year, from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November, while standard time is observed during the late fall and winter months.

The Sunshine Protection Act would eliminate standard time, meaning Americans would no longer have to change their clocks twice a year.

Under the current system, some parts of the country—including Hawaii, most of Arizona and U.S. territories including Puerto Rico—do not observe daylight saving time.

The Sunshine Protection Act would allow states to opt out of daylight saving time and instead observe standard time year-round if they pass such a measure before the federal law takes effect.

Daylight saving time proposal divides experts and lawmakers

Though the Sunshine Protection Act passed the House easily, the measure divided both parties, with 22 Republicans and 95 Democrats voting against it.

Proponents argue that permanent daylight saving time would improve health outcomes, including by maintaining more consistent sleep schedules, and reduce evening crime. Opponents, meanwhile, cite separate health and safety concerns, including the possibility that children would be more vulnerable to accidents while traveling to school in darker morning hours.

Several Republicans representing Florida, which stands to benefit economically from the change because of its impact on tourism and other industries, vocally supported the bill.

“This is not about politics,” said Florida Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis. “This is about practicality. It is about recognizing that our laws should keep pace with the people we represent.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., was among the House members who opposed the bill. In response to MSNBC journalist Jonathan Lemire posting “Do not do this” about the proposed change, Ocasio-Cortez replied, “I voted no,” along with a crying-laughing emoji.