Efforts to End Biannual Clock Change Stalled in Congress Again

Once again, attempts to eliminate the biannual clock change in the U.S. have hit a wall in Congress.

This year, Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott and Representative Vern Buchanan reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act. This initiative previously had backing from current Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Scott’s proposal has gone through some procedural steps, including bipartisan support and committee discussions. The act aims to grant states that have enacted permanent daylight saving time laws the federal approval necessary to keep their clocks locked in, while also allowing other states the choice to opt in or not.

On Tuesday, Scott and other lawmakers took to the Senate floor in an attempt to push the bill forward by seeking unanimous consent. This method is usually reserved for legislation that’s expected to have wide support, meaning it’s a bit tricky since all members in the chamber have to agree for it to proceed.

“This bill is about states’ rights,” Scott mentioned during his speech, asserting that it would empower each state to determine what timing works best for its residents and families.

Though medical professionals generally advocate for a switch to a permanent time over daylight saving, some states prefer the extended daylight year-round.

The bill initially seemed to be on a positive trajectory, partly due to apparent support from former President Donald Trump, but, similar to previous attempts, it has faltered.

Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) expressed his opposition, stalling the expedited process. He cited the complex history of permanent daylight saving time in the U.S., the implications of dark winter mornings in certain states, and the health advantages of maintaining standard time.

“Like everyone else, I don’t enjoy the clock changes every six months,” he noted, adding that “not all human problems have legal solutions.” Cotton emphasized the need to navigate uneasy balances among diverse priorities, especially considering how celestial movements influence millions across the nation.

The Sunshine Protection Act actually passed the Senate in 2022, which Cotton found frustrating. He extended his blame to miscommunication about his opposition to the bill, mentioning he didn’t effectively convey his strong disapproval to his staff.

With Cotton’s reservations stalling the bill once again, any prompt changes to the twice-a-year clock shifts have been delayed for now.

Meanwhile, various states are contemplating laws this year to stop changing clocks, though opinions are split between supporting permanent daylight saving time or sticking with standard time. A recent poll indicated that nearly half of those surveyed somewhat or strongly opposed the biannual clock changes. Still, time will fall back on Sunday, November 2, with exceptions in Hawaii and most of Arizona. Without swift action, clocks are expected to spring forward an hour on March 9, 2026.