Debate Continues Over Ending Twice-Yearly Clock Changes

Polls show most Americans dislike daylight saving time, but solutions remain elusive

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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As clocks skip ahead an hour this Sunday for daylight saving time, the debate over ending the biannual clock changes continues. While most Americans dislike the system, political moves to change it have stalled due to sharply divided opinions on the potential impacts. Some states have adopted laws calling for permanent daylight saving time, but Congress would need to pass legislation to allow this. Other proposals include splitting the difference and moving clocks 30 minutes, or adopting permanent standard time year-round.

Why it matters

The twice-yearly clock changes disrupt sleep schedules, impact public health and safety, and inspire widespread frustration. Finding a solution that works for different regions and industries has proven challenging, with concerns ranging from sunrise/sunset timings to scheduling complexities.

The details

About 1 in 10 U.S. adults favor the current system of changing the clocks, while around half oppose it. If forced to choose, most Americans say they would prefer permanent daylight saving time over standard time. Since 2018, 19 states have adopted laws calling for a move to permanent daylight saving time, but Congress would need to pass a law to allow this. Other proposals include shifting clocks 30 minutes to split the difference, or adopting permanent standard time year-round to better align with circadian rhythms.

  • 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 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 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-yearly clock changes within two years.

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What they’re saying

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

— Genie Lauren

“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

“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

What’s next

The U.S. House of Representatives has not yet brought a bill similar to the Senate's 2022 measure on permanent daylight saving time to a vote. Several states have adopted laws calling for a move to permanent daylight saving time, but those changes would require Congressional approval.

The takeaway

The debate over ending the biannual clock changes continues, with sharply divided opinions on the potential impacts of moving to permanent daylight saving time versus permanent standard time. While most Americans dislike the current system, finding a solution that works for different regions and industries has proven challenging, underscoring the complexity of this longstanding issue.