The Political Debate Around Daylight Saving Time

The debate around daylight saving time (DST) is ongoing, with discussions at both the federal and state levels about ending the biannual time change. In March 2022, the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make DST permanent, but the House has yet to take it up due to higher priorities and criticism about the approach. The medical community prefers permanent standard time for health reasons, aligning better with our circadian rhythms, while proponents of permanent DST argue for economic benefits, such as increased evening spending. Currently, all states except Hawaii and Arizona observe DST, with some U.S. territories also opting out. With federal legislation stalled, states could potentially enact their own rules within the confines of the 1966 Uniform Time Act, which allows for permanent standard time but not DST. Numerous state-level bills have been proposed, reflecting a national conversation on the topic. As of now, the tradition of changing the clocks continues, with the next end of DST scheduled for November 3.

Source: NPR