The Senate has stalled on legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent across most of the United States, despite renewed pressure from President Donald Trump.
The House approved the measure in July by a 308-117 vote, but the Senate adjourned this week without taking it up and has scheduled no further votes before the 3 November midterm elections. As a result, Americans will still turn their clocks back to standard time on 1 November 2026.
Trump renewed his support for the change on Friday, arguing that switching clocks twice a year imposes economic costs and has negative effects on crime, stress and other aspects of daily life.
Republican Senator John Kennedy suggested there is insufficient support in the Senate, telling Reuters the proposal was effectively stalled. Senator Rick Scott, one of its main sponsors, remains confident lawmakers could approve it after returning from the election recess.
If eventually enacted in its current form, the legislation would mean that 2027 would be the last year in which most Americans switch between standard time and daylight saving time. Clocks would not return to standard time later that year, effectively keeping evenings lighter throughout winter.
The dispute is partly about which permanent system is preferable. Supporters of permanent daylight saving time point to the disruption to sleep associated with clock changes, as well as research linking the transitions to workplace injuries and road accidents. They also argue that an extra hour of evening daylight could benefit businesses and recreational activities.
Opponents are particularly concerned about very dark winter mornings. Permanent daylight saving time would delay sunrise by an hour, meaning that in some northern and western parts of US time zones, sunrise could occur around 9 a.m. or later during winter. That would leave many schoolchildren and workers travelling before sunrise.
The US has tried this before. Congress introduced year-round daylight saving time in January 1974, partly in response to the energy crisis. Public support declined sharply as Americans experienced darker winter mornings, and Congress reversed course later that year.
For now, nothing changes: US clocks still go back on 1 November 2026, and permanent daylight saving time remains
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