President Donald Trump has urged Congress to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, saying it could help reduce murder and robbery rates.

Since World War One, the U.S. has periodically moved clocks forward during the warmer months to extend daylight into the evening, a practice known as Daylight Saving Time (DST). Each autumn, clocks are turned back by one hour as most of the country returns to standard time.

The legislation passed the House in mid-July, with 308 lawmakers in favor and 117 opposed. It is now being considered by the Senate, and if it passes the president is keen to sign it into law.

"For many years, the vast Majority of Americans have asked to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but no Administration has been able to get it properly done, until now," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday. "I am proud to announce that the House of Representatives has passed the Bill, and it has now gone to the Senate for final approval."

He added: "Leading Medical, Crime, and Economic Studies have shown that ceasing the biannual time change, giving us one extra hour of natural sunlight in the evenings, will help Decrease Robbery and Murder Rates, Reduce Car Accidents (especially those involving Pedestrians!), Lower Risk for Cardiac Issues, Stroke, and Seasonal Depression, Make It Safer for Children to Walk Home from School, Increase Time with your Family, Strongly Support Extracurricular Activities, Be a Big Boost to Sports, Fitness, Tourism, Retail, and the Restaurant Industries (and more!), and Save Money on Energy Bills, because everyone will be enjoying an EXTRA HOUR OF DAYLIGHT.

"In other words, leave it as it is now, and never change again. This is an issue that Republicans, Dumocrats, and Independents can unite behind. I am asking Republican Senators to PASS THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT, ASAP."

This is a developing story. More to follow.