Daylight Saving 2025 Time starts Sunday, March 9th! Clocks spring forward one hour. More evening daylight, but debate continues on making it permanent. Enjoy the longer days! #DaylightSavingTime
On December 13, President-elect Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation.”
Daylight Saving Time: A Historical Overview
To begin with, what is Daylight Saving Time? Essentially, DST started in 1918. At that time, it was part of the Standard Time Act. Moreover, the goal was to save energy during World War I. Therefore, it extended daylight into evenings. Consequently, this reduced the need for artificial light. Subsequently, DST returned in World War II. Eventually, it became standard with the 1966 Uniform Time Act. However, Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe DST. Similarly, some U.S. territories also skip it.
The Clock Change Debate: Public Opinion and Expert Views
Now, the controversy: Should clocks change? Indeed, a 2023 YouGov poll showed 62% of Americans want to end clock changes. Conversely, 21% want to keep it. Notably, many want year-round DST. Meanwhile, sleep experts often prefer year-round standard time. In fact, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine agrees. They say, standard time fits our natural rhythms. As a result, this benefits public health and safety.
Legislative Efforts: The Push for Permanent Time
Recently, efforts to stop clock changes have increased. For instance, many states introduced or passed laws for permanent DST. Nevertheless, federal approval is needed. In 2022, the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act. Specifically, it aimed for permanent DST. However, the House stalled it. Later, the Senate revived it in January 2025.
Political Stances: Lawmakers and the “Lock the Clock” Movement
Politically, where do lawmakers stand? Clearly, Donald Trump opposes DST. He supports, year-round standard time. Likewise, Senator Rick Scott also wants it. He champions, the Sunshine Protection Act. Undoubtedly, Senator Scott believes Americans want to “lock the clock.” He seeks, to simplify time changes. With this in mind, Trump’s support helps the movement. Therefore, the effort to end clock changes is gaining traction in Washington.
Impact and types in the USA
| Factor | Location Type | Potential Impact | Examples |
| Northern Latitude | Cities in northern states (e.g., Alaska, northern Minnesota, Washington) | More extreme shifts in daylight hours, leading to greater disruption of circadian rhythms. | Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seattle, Minneapolis |
| Time Zone Boundaries | Cities near time zone lines | Confusion and disruption due to differing sunrise/sunset times in neighboring areas. | Cities along the borders of time zones |
| High Shift Worker Population | Industrial cities, cities with 24/7 industries | Exacerbated sleep disruption for those already on non-standard schedules. | Major industrial centers, cities with large hospital systems |
| High Traffic Density | Major metropolitan areas | Increased risk of traffic accidents due to fatigue and disrupted sleep patterns. | New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago |
| Pre-existing Sleep Disorder Prevalence | Any city with high prevalence of sleep disorders | Exacerbated negative health effects, and increased difficulty adjusting to time change. | All major cities. |
Surveying the Public: Musk’s Poll and Ongoing Discussion
Regarding surveys, what do they say? In particular, Elon Musk polled users on X. He asked, if they wanted an earlier or later time adjustment. Overall, over 1.3 million people voted. Of those, 58% preferred a later shift. On the other hand, 42% favored an earlier one. Ultimately, the DST debate continues. Because of this, Trump’s changing view makes predicting change hard.”