President Donald Trump is backing a renewed effort to permanently end America’s twice-yearly clock changes as lawmakers move forward with legislation that could keep Daylight Saving Time in place year-round nationwide.
The effort comes as polling continues to show widespread frustration with the current practice of changing clocks every spring and fall.
An October 2025 AP-NORC survey found many Americans oppose switching clocks twice annually, while only a small percentage support keeping the system in place.
Separate polling conducted by YouGov showed roughly two-thirds of Americans favor ending the clock changes entirely.
While support for ending clock changes remains strong, Americans remain divided over what system should replace it.
Survey results indicate more voters favor permanent Daylight Saving Time than permanent standard time, though concerns persist in some areas over darker winter mornings.
Critics of permanent Daylight Saving Time have argued later winter sunrises could create safety concerns and make mornings more difficult during colder months, according to TIME.
Congressional Republicans are once again attempting to advance legislation to address the issue.
This week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 48-1 to move forward with the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act, a broader legislative package that includes the Sunshine Protection Act.
If approved by Congress and signed into law, the proposal would eliminate seasonal clock changes and establish permanent Daylight Saving Time across the country.
Trump praised the committee action Thursday and argued the existing system creates unnecessary expenses for taxpayers and government entities.
“This is so important in that Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are spent every year by people, Cities, and States, being forced to change their Clocks,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Many of these Clocks are located in Towers, and the cost of renting, or using, Heavy Equipment to do this twice a year is prohibitive!”
The president also said he intends to push for the legislation as it moves through Congress.
“It’s time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice yearly production,” Trump wrote. “We are going with the far more popular alternative, Saving Daylight, which gives you a longer, brighter Day — And who can be against that — This is an easy one!”
Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), who sponsors the House legislation, said lawmakers have an opportunity to modernize a system many Americans increasingly view as outdated.
“My Sunshine Protection Act will bring us one step closer to ending the outdated and unpopular practice of changing our clocks twice a year,” Buchanan said. “Floridians and Americans across the country are tired of the biannual time change.”
Buchanan has also pointed to studies suggesting permanent Daylight Saving Time could provide benefits involving traffic safety, public health, crime reduction, and outdoor activity.
Current federal law gives states limited authority over time observance rules.
Hawaii and most of Arizona already remain on standard time throughout the year, while states cannot independently adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time without congressional approval.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 19 states have approved measures that would allow year-round Daylight Saving Time if federal law changes.
The current proposal builds on previous congressional efforts that failed to become law.
In 2022, the Senate approved legislation aimed at making Daylight Saving Time permanent nationwide, but the measure stalled before reaching final approval in the House.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott (R) introduced the Senate version of the current legislation, while Buchanan continues leading House efforts, according to The Hill.
The national debate over time changes stretches back decades.
The United States temporarily operated under year-round Daylight Saving Time during World War II and again during the 1970s energy crisis.
The later experiment was eventually reversed after criticism over darker winter mornings and safety concerns involving children traveling to school.
Some health researchers have also argued permanent standard time may offer advantages involving sleep patterns and long-term health outcomes compared to permanent Daylight Saving Time.
The Sunshine Protection Act must still clear both chambers of Congress before reaching Trump’s desk, but supporters argue growing dissatisfaction with twice-yearly clock changes could give the proposal momentum after years of unsuccessful attempts.
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