It’s that time of year again. On Sunday, most Americans will set their clocks back an hour, and many will renew their biannual calls to end the time-changing practice.
On November 3, after eight months of daylight saving time, people across the country will "fall back" and gain an extra hour of sleep. While early risers will enjoy an earlier sunrise, they’ll also see the sun set an hour sooner.
For years, the start and end of daylight saving time have sparked debates about ending these time changes altogether. Nearly every state in the U.S. follows daylight saving time, except for two. Some states want DST to be permanent, while others favor adopting standard time year-round.
The idea of making Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent has been gaining momentum in the United States. Proponents argue that permanent DST could improve health, reduce energy use, and provide more daylight for evening activities. However, turning DST into a year-round practice requires congressional approval, and efforts to pass this legislation have encountered mixed support.
Currently, a number of states have expressed interest in adopting permanent DST, and some have even passed local legislation to prepare for the change if federal law allows it. However, as of now, the federal government mandates that states either observe standard time or DST, but not year-round DST.
Congress has seen bills like the Sunshine Protection Act, aimed at making DST permanent nationwide, yet none have succeeded so far. The debate continues, with supporters calling for consistency and opponents pointing to potential health impacts and issues for those in northern states where winter daylight would be limited.
The result is a confusing mix of proposed state laws, yet no real progress, as the federal government hasn’t permitted a permanent change—at least not yet. This week, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida renewed his push for a bill he introduced to make daylight saving time permanent across the U.S. Known as the Sunshine Protection Act, the bill passed the Senate in 2022 but has stalled in the House of Representatives despite being introduced in multiple sessions.
“It’s time to lock the clock and stop enduring the outdated and absurd practice of switching our clocks back and forth,” Rubio said.
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