Though Congress is moving toward permanent daylight saving time with the Sunshine Protection Act, some lawmakers support an alternative: permanent standard time.
The Sunshine Protection Act, approved by the House in July 2026, would require states that do not opt out to keep their clocks on daylight saving time year-round, eliminating the "fall back" clock change in November. This means summer daylight hours remain unchanged, but winter sunrises and sunsets would shift.
In contrast, the bipartisan Sunshine for Our Kids Act of 2026 advocates for permanent standard time—the current time observed from November through March—with some exceptions. Under this proposal, few places in the U.S. would experience sunsets after 8 p.m. during summer, with many cities seeing the latest sunset in the 7 p.m. hour. Additionally, much of the country would see winter sunrises after 8 a.m., a change that historically contributed to opposition against permanent daylight saving time in the 1970s.
Some regions would also experience summer sunrises well before 5 a.m., which may be a concern for those who prefer waking with the sun.
Because the House has already passed the Sunshine Protection Act, it remains uncertain whether the Sunshine for Our Kids Act will receive a vote.
Loading comments.