FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 03, 2026

Congress considers keeping us on 'spring forward' Daylight Savings Time all year

Federal legislation with an inviting name -- the Sunshine Protection Act -- has support from more than 300 House members and the president It would make Daylight Saving Time permanent, eliminating the "fall back" drill of resetting clocks by an hour on the first Sunday of November. Backers say the change would bring health and recreational benefits of an extra hour of sunshine, including increased time outside and less seasonal depression. Advocates expect added economic activity, such as more evening shopping and other outings, and improved safety from another hour of natural light late each day. Golf course operators are all for it, naturally. A White House statement calls it "a popular, common-sense reform that would benefit Americans by protecting precious daylight during the evening, when people are most likely to be awake and active."

But the bill, approved recently by representatives of both parties by 308-117, may not clear the Senate. "My best guess is there aren't votes to pass it," says Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, who adds that it may not even come up for a vote. "The impact, generally, is kids would be going to school, walking to the bus, in the dark." Another Republican, Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, comments: "I don't think, to use a pun, it'll see the light of day."

The proposal change would provide an extra hour of daylight before nightfall in late autumn and winter, though that means it'd be dark during breakfast and when most Americans travel to school and jobs. Permanent "spring forward" status would push midwinter sunrise past 9 a.m. in some northern and western regions. It's not a new idea, nor is it popular with everyone. An alternative bill would require Standard Time -- which Americans observe between November and the second Sunday in March -- to be used all year.

An Illinois-based group, the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time, an advocacy group, argues that the winter time setting aligns closely with the body's natural rhythm -- our internal clock, in effect (formally called circadian rhythm). Morning light wakes us up and improves alertness. Daylight Saving Time "essentially robs us of our morning light that is really critical for setting our bodies' clocks, which is really important for having us get enough and healthy sleep and having aligned circadian rhythms that help our bodies function appropriately," says Dr. Karin Johnson of Springfield, Mass., the coalition's co-chair. Hawaii and most of Arizona already use standard time year round, as do Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Backer says: "The twice-yearly clock change is a relic of the past that no longer reflects the way Americans live, work and conduct business in the 21st century." -- Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla.

Critic says: "By moving the clock back an hour in winter, permanent daylight-saving time would push winter sunrises to an absurdly late hour, depriving Americans of morning sunshine that's essential for our safety and well-being." -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.

President says: "We are going with the far more popular alternative, Saving Daylight, which gives you a longer, brighter day. And who can be against that? This is an easy one!" -- Social media post by Donald Trump

Front Page Talking Points Archive

Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.