Permanent Daylight Saving Time Plan Stalls As November Clock Change Approaches

Americans are still expected to turn their clocks back this fall despite a major push to make daylight saving time permanent.

The Sunshine Protection Act cleared the House of Representatives in July with overwhelming bipartisan support, bringing the country closer to eliminating seasonal clock changes than it has been in years. However, the Senate has not taken up the measure as of September 21, leaving its future uncertain.

Unless lawmakers act before fall, daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 1. Clocks will move back one hour, giving most Americans an extra hour of sleep while bringing earlier sunsets for the winter months.

The legislation would keep clocks on daylight saving time throughout the year, preserving later sunsets and ending the familiar “spring forward” and “fall back” routine. The bill passed the House by a 308-117 vote on July 14 before being sent to the Senate.

States that currently observe daylight saving time could choose permanent standard time instead, but they would need to make that decision before the federal change took effect. Hawaii and most of Arizona already remain on standard time throughout the year.

Supporters argue that eliminating the twice-yearly transition would reduce sleep disruption, workplace injuries and traffic accidents. They also believe an additional hour of evening sunlight during the winter could encourage outdoor activity and benefit restaurants, retailers and other businesses.

The White House has backed the proposal, saying it would eliminate the time, expense and inconvenience associated with changing clocks twice each year. President Donald Trump has also repeatedly expressed support for ending the seasonal switch.

The measure still faces resistance in the Senate. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton is among those warning that permanent daylight saving time would create dangerously dark winter mornings, particularly for schoolchildren and workers who begin their days early.

Under permanent daylight saving time, sunrise would occur close to or after 9 a.m. in some northern and western communities during the darkest part of winter.

Major medical groups and sleep researchers have generally favored permanent standard time instead. They contend that morning sunlight helps regulate the body’s internal clock, while additional evening light can make it more difficult for people to fall asleep.

The United States has attempted permanent daylight saving time before. Congress adopted year-round daylight time in January 1974 during an energy crisis, but public support quickly collapsed as families encountered dark winter mornings. Lawmakers reversed course later that year.

The current debate has gained new urgency this month as autumn approaches and daylight hours begin shrinking. Despite the House vote in July, the Senate has not held a floor vote on the proposal during September.

A similar version of the Sunshine Protection Act unanimously passed the Senate in 2022 but failed to advance in the House. This time, the chambers have effectively switched positions, with the House acting first and the Senate becoming the remaining obstacle.

For now, the federal schedule remains unchanged. Daylight saving time will end November 1, and Americans will return to standard time until clocks move forward again in March 2027.

The bill could still advance before then, but without Senate approval and the president’s signature, the longstanding clock-changing ritual will continue for at least one more season.