The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to pass legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent, eliminating the twice-yearly clock shift. While supporters argue the change simplifies daily schedules, the bill faces opposition in the Senate and from various lawmakers concerned about the impact on morning light during winter months.
A 2023 AP-NORC poll indicated that only 12% of American adults favor maintaining the current system of shifting clocks twice a year. Organizations such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine have expressed support for a single, consistent time. President Donald Trump has also expressed support for the measure, though its path through the Senate remains uncertain.
Critics of the bill, including Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Mike Rounds, raised concerns that permanent daylight saving time would result in darker winter mornings. Rounds noted that in some regions, the sun would not rise until after 9:30 a.m., potentially requiring children to travel to school in the dark.
The United States previously attempted permanent daylight saving time in 1974 during a trial period meant to last 16 months. However, Congress repealed the law after less than a year following public complaints regarding dark winter mornings. Researchers suggest that if the change is enacted now, adjustments to national time zones might be necessary to address sunrise disparities within the four existing zones.