America already tried permanent daylight saving time. Could it work now?

The United States may be on the verge of ending its twice-yearly clock changes, as the House of Representatives recently voted overwhelmingly to pass legislation establishing permanent daylight saving time. This move, if it clears the Senate, would mean clocks would no longer spring forward or fall back.

Public sentiment appears to strongly favor a single, consistent time. A poll conducted last year by AP-NORC revealed that only 12% of American adults support the current system of changing clocks, while nearly half expressed opposition. Proponents of the change include major medical organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, who emphasize the importance of daily rhythms.

“

make winter a dark and dismal time for millions of Americans

However, the path forward is not guaranteed. While President Donald Trump has indicated support, the legislation faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where some Republicans, like Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, have voiced strong opposition. Cotton argued that making daylight saving time permanent would lead to "dark and dismal" winters for many Americans.

History offers a cautionary tale. In 1973, Congress enacted a law for a trial period of permanent daylight saving time, which began in January 1974. However, it was repealed by October of the following year due to widespread public backlash. A primary concern during that period was the safety of schoolchildren, who would have to travel to school in pre-dawn darkness during the winter months. While some school start times have shifted later in recent years, this historical objection remains a key point of contention.

“

I had to get up for school and it was like it was midnight. It was just pitch black and it remained pitch black into the school day.