Daylight Saving Time Ended Sunday; Debate Over Year-Round Change Continues

Daylight saving time ended at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, causing clocks across most of the U.S. to “fall back” one hour. The change, which adds an hour of daylight to the evening during the fall and winter months, has been observed since 1918, though with periods of repeal and inconsistent application until the Uniform Time Act of 1966. The end of daylight saving time came as the House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July, which would make daylight saving time permanent. The bill now awaits action in the Senate.

The U.S. first adopted daylight saving time during World War I as a fuel conservation effort, mirroring a similar change in Europe, according to the Congressional Research Service. The practice was briefly repealed after the war, but reinstated during World War II and the 1970s energy crisis, though these attempts at year-round daylight saving time were short-lived. In 1966, Congress established a uniform start and end date for the time change.

Currently, Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii remain on standard time year-round, avoiding the twice-yearly time change. The Sunshine Protection Act, if passed by the Senate and signed into law, would allow states to opt out of permanent daylight saving time. President Trump publicly supported the bill, even sharing the cellphone number of Senator Tom Cotton, who expressed concerns that permanent daylight saving time could lead to late sunrises in the winter. CNET notes that phones and computers automatically adjust for the time change, but manual adjustments are needed for devices like ovens, microwaves, and car clocks. The change means sunrise occurred at 6:17 a.m. and sunset at 4:37 p.m. on Sunday in Boston, compared to 7:16 a.m. and 5:39 p.m. before the change, according to the National Weather Service.

What is not yet known

• Whether the Senate will pass the Sunshine Protection Act remains unresolved.
• The potential impacts of permanent daylight saving time on sleep patterns and health are not detailed.

Background

• Daylight saving time was first adopted in the U.S. during World War I as a fuel conservation measure, mirroring a practice in Europe [Fact Refinery, 2026-07-14].
• The Uniform Time Act of 1966 established a standardized start and end date for daylight saving time, though the practice had previously been repealed and inconsistently applied [Fact Refinery, 2026-07-14].
• Arizona (excluding the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii currently do not observe daylight saving time, remaining on standard time year-round [Fact Refinery, 2026-07-14].
• The House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July, aiming to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, but the bill is currently stalled in the Senate [Fact Refinery, 2026-07-14].

Our reading

Our reading is that the debate over permanent daylight saving time is a recurring one, with past attempts at standardization failing. The current push, evidenced by the House vote, is notable for attracting bipartisan support and the public endorsement of a former President. However, the continued opposition in the Senate, specifically highlighted by Senator Cotton’s concerns, suggests significant hurdles remain despite the apparent momentum.

What to watch

• The Senate’s vote on the Sunshine Protection Act, to determine if it will advance beyond its current stalemate [Fact Refinery, 2026-07-14].
• Any statements from Senator Tom Cotton regarding his position on the bill, particularly if he signals a willingness to negotiate or compromise [Fact Refinery, 2026-07-14, 2026-10-04].
• Reports on any further public pressure campaigns, such as those initiated by former President Trump, aimed at influencing Senate votes [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-04].

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