America Has Tried Permanent Daylight Saving Time Before — And It Failed

America Has Tried Permanent Daylight Saving Time Before — And It Failed
Jimbo,
House Vote On The Sunshine Protection Act On Capitol Hill
An American Eagle Mitsubishi CRJ-701ER plane passes behind the Washington Monument while approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), following a vote on the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent, and states with areas exempt from daylight saving time may choose the standard time for those areas, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 13, 2026. REUTERS/Al Drago

Congress has passed a bill making daylight saving time permanent, with President Trump signaling support. But history suggests the public may not embrace it. In 1974, the U.S. trialed permanent daylight time — it was repealed within months after widespread complaints. A key concern was children commuting to school in complete darkness. Anthropology professor Kevin Birth, who lived through it as a student in Syracuse, recalled: “It was just pitch black and it remained pitch black into the school day.” An AP-NORC poll found only 12% of Americans support the twice-yearly clock change, yet permanent daylight time brings its own challenges. Experts also warn existing time zones would need restructuring, as sunrises vary dramatically across each zone. The Senate must still pass the bill before it becomes law. Story URL

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