Time change: Senate deadline looms for permanent daylight saving bill

Clocks in the United States will move back one hour this Sunday, marking the end of daylight saving time for 2026. The ritual will likely continue unless the Senate acts on legislation passed by the House in July. The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent, requires Senate approval before House votes expire at the end of the year.

Most of the country will observe the time change, with exceptions for Hawaii, most of Arizona, and U.S. territories. Digital devices such as smartphones, computers, and televisions will adjust automatically. Analog clocks require manual resets. President Donald Trump has voiced support for making daylight saving time permanent, a move that would keep clocks set to the summer schedule year-round.

A permanent shift to daylight saving time would leave sunrise and sunset times unchanged during spring, summer, and early fall. From early November through March, however, the sun would rise and set one hour later than it currently does. In cities like Indianapolis, sunrise around Christmas could occur after 9 a.m. under the new system.

Public opinion largely favors eliminating the twice-yearly clock changes. A 2025 AP-NORC poll showed that 47% of Americans oppose the current system, while only 12% support it. Forty percent of respondents remained neutral. When asked about the preferred alternative, 56% favored permanent daylight saving time over the 44% who preferred permanent standard time.

Preferences vary by individual habits. Among self-identified morning people, support for permanent standard time slightly edges out daylight saving time, with 50% favoring standard time compared to 49% for daylight saving time. The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act by a vote of 308 to 117 in July.

Sleep scientists present a competing proposal. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine supports the Sunshine for Our Kids Act, which would also eliminate biannual clock changes. This bill would make standard time permanent, causing sunrises and sunsets to occur one hour earlier during warmer months. The Senate faces a year-end deadline to take up the legislation before the House approval lapses.