Debate Continues Over Ending Biannual Clock Changes

Proposals range from permanent daylight saving time to splitting the difference, but no consensus on best solution

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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As clocks in most of the U.S. spring forward an hour this Sunday for daylight saving time, the debate continues over whether to end the biannual clock changes. While polls show most people dislike the current system, there is no agreement on the best alternative, with proposals ranging from making daylight saving time permanent to splitting the difference by shifting the clocks 30 minutes. Opponents of the changes cite health and safety concerns, while industries like golf worry about the impacts of permanent standard time. Several states have passed laws to switch to permanent daylight saving time, but that requires Congressional approval which has not yet materialized.

Why it matters

The biannual clock changes have long been a source of frustration for many Americans, disrupting sleep schedules, daily routines, and potentially impacting public health and safety. However, there is no clear consensus on the best solution, with competing interests and concerns making it difficult for lawmakers to enact meaningful reform.

The details

Since 2018, 19 states have adopted laws calling for a move to permanent daylight saving time, but that change requires Congressional approval which has not yet been granted. Some lawmakers have proposed splitting the difference by shifting the clocks 30 minutes, a solution that could gain bipartisan support but would put the U.S. out of sync with most of the world. Opponents of the clock changes cite studies showing increased risks of fatal vehicle crashes, heart attacks, and strokes in the days following the biannual time shifts, as well as concerns about disrupting circadian rhythms. However, industries like golf worry that permanent standard time would make it harder for people to get in an evening round.

  • Clocks will skip ahead one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2026 for daylight saving time.
  • In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to move to permanent daylight saving time, but a similar House bill has not yet been brought to a vote.

The players

Jay Pea

The president of Save Standard Time, an organization devoted to switching to standard time permanently.

Genie Lauren

A 41-year-old health care worker in New York City who dislikes the biannual clock changes.

Karin Johnson

The vice president of the advocacy group Save Standard Time and a professor of neurology at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School.

Kenneth Wright

A professor and director of the Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory at the University of Colorado.

Scott Yates

A Colorado man who runs the website Lock the Clock and wants the federal government to pass a law to end the twice-a-year clock change in two years.

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What they’re saying

“There's no law we can pass to move the sun to our will.”

— Jay Pea, President, Save Standard Time (wbal.com)

“The majority of the year we're in daylight savings time. What are we doing this for?”

— Genie Lauren, Health care worker (wbal.com)

“Morning light is what's really critical for setting our circadian rhythms each day.”

— Karin Johnson, Vice President, Save Standard Time (wbal.com)

“Based on the evidence for our health and well-being and safety, the best option for us as a country now is to choose to go to permanent standard time.”

— Kenneth Wright, Professor and Director, Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory, University of Colorado (wbal.com)

“If you're the boss, tell all your employees on Monday that they can come in an hour later. And if you aren't the boss, tell your boss that you think you should come in an hour later on Monday. Sleep in for safety.”

— Scott Yates, Founder, Lock the Clock (wbal.com)

What’s next

The U.S. Senate passed a bill in 2022 to move to permanent daylight saving time, but a similar House bill has not yet been brought to a vote. Several states have also passed laws to switch to permanent daylight saving time, but those changes require Congressional approval.

The takeaway

The debate over ending the biannual clock changes continues, with no clear consensus on the best solution. While polls show most Americans dislike the current system, the competing interests and concerns of different industries and stakeholders have made it difficult for lawmakers to enact meaningful reform. The health and safety impacts of the clock changes, as well as the disruption to daily routines, suggest the need for a resolution, but the path forward remains unclear.