Millions of Americans will “spring forward” on Sunday, March 9, 2025, as daylight saving time (DST) begins. While many appreciate the extra evening sunlight, others dread the lost hour of sleep.
The biannual time change has been a topic of debate for decades. Some argue that permanent daylight saving time would boost economic activity and reduce crime, while others insist that standard time is better for human health.
Despite multiple efforts to eliminate clock changes, Congress has yet to reach a decision. With growing political interest and increasing health concerns, will 2025 finally be the year the U.S. puts an end to this practice?
The Push for Permanent Daylight Saving Time
In recent years, lawmakers have proposed making daylight saving time permanent, eliminating the need to “fall back” in November.
The most notable effort came in the form of the Sunshine Protection Act, first introduced in 2018 by Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida. The bill aimed to keep the U.S. on daylight saving time year-round, eliminating the twice-a-year clock change.
In 2022, the Senate unanimously passed the bill, but it stalled in the House and was never signed into law.
Former President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January 2025, has expressed support for ending daylight saving time, calling it “inconvenient and very costly to our nation.” His administration has hinted at revisiting the issue, but no official action has been taken yet.
Why Some Experts Oppose Permanent Dst
While many people enjoy longer daylight hours, health experts warn that permanent daylight saving time could have negative effects on human health.
Organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine argue that standard time is better for our natural sleep-wake cycle.
Research suggests that the disruption of circadian rhythms caused by daylight saving time increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and depression. Additionally, darker mornings in the winter months could lead to more accidents and reduced productivity.
Currently, states can opt out of daylight saving time and remain on standard time, as Hawaii and most of Arizona have done. However, federal law does not allow states to stay on daylight saving time permanently without congressional approval.
A Look Back: Has the U.S. Tried Permanent DST Before?
The U.S. has experimented with year-round daylight saving time twice—in World War II and again in 1974 during an energy crisis.
Both times, the results were controversial. The 1974 experiment was cut short after just 10 months, as people complained about dark winter mornings, especially for children commuting to school.
Studies on energy consumption have also cast doubt on the benefits of DST. A 2005 study found that extending daylight saving time only reduced national electricity use by 0.5% per day, a relatively small impact.
Despite these findings, supporters argue that extra daylight in the evening reduces crime and encourages outdoor activities, while opponents insist that public health should take priority.
What’s Next?
For now, Americans will set their clocks forward on March 9 and back again on November 2—just as they have for decades.
But with increasing political interest and mounting health concerns, the debate over daylight saving time’s future is far from over.
Will 2025 be the year Congress finally ends the biannual time change? Or will the U.S. continue to reset its clocks indefinitely? Only time will tell.
