Debate Continues Over Ending Twice-Yearly Clock Changes

Proposals range from permanent daylight saving time to splitting the difference, but no consensus yet

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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As clocks move forward an hour this Sunday for daylight saving time, the debate continues over whether to end the biannual clock changes that disrupt sleep schedules and daily routines. While polls show most Americans dislike the current system, there is no agreement on how to fix it, with proposals ranging from making daylight saving time permanent to splitting the difference by moving clocks 30 minutes. Several states have adopted laws to switch to permanent daylight saving time, but Congress would need to pass legislation to allow that change. Experts argue the health and safety benefits favor permanent standard time, but the golf industry and others oppose that option.

Why it matters

The twice-yearly clock changes have long been a source of frustration for many Americans, disrupting sleep patterns, daily routines, and potentially impacting public health and safety. Finding a solution that satisfies the diverse range of stakeholders has proven challenging, with no clear political consensus emerging despite growing public opposition to the current system.

The details

In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to move to permanent daylight saving time, but a similar House bill has not been brought to a vote. Some states have adopted laws to switch to permanent daylight saving time, but those changes are contingent on neighboring states making the same move to avoid scheduling conflicts. Other proposals include splitting the difference by moving clocks 30 minutes, an approach taken by a few countries. Experts argue the health benefits, including reduced risks of fatal vehicle crashes, heart attacks and strokes, favor a switch to permanent standard time, but the golf industry opposes that option.

  • Clocks will skip ahead one hour at 2 a.m. this Sunday, March 12, 2026, for daylight saving time.
  • In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to move to permanent daylight saving time.

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 who spends her winters in New York City and dislikes the 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 (ksgf.com)

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

— Genie Lauren (ksgf.com)

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

— Karin Johnson, Vice President, Save Standard Time; Professor of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (ksgf.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 (ksgf.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 (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The U.S. House of Representatives has not yet brought a similar bill to the one passed by the Senate in 2022 to move to permanent daylight saving time to a vote. Several states have adopted laws to switch to permanent daylight saving time, but those changes are contingent on neighboring states making the same move.

The takeaway

The debate over ending the twice-yearly clock changes in the U.S. continues, with no clear political consensus emerging despite growing public opposition to the current system. While proposals range from permanent daylight saving time to splitting the difference, experts argue the health and safety benefits favor a switch to permanent standard time. However, the golf industry and others oppose that option, highlighting the challenge of finding a solution that satisfies all stakeholders.