Daylight saving time (DST) is trending again as Americans get ready to adjust their clocks this fall. Observed since the 1960s, DST was created to maximise longer summer evenings by moving clocks forward in spring and back in autumn. In 2025, clocks will “fall back” on November 2 at 2 am, giving an extra hour of sleep but earlier sunsets in many regions. While some lawmakers and citizens support making DST permanent, others prefer standard time year-round, and many favor keeping the current system. Congressional efforts, including the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, aim to resolve this debate, but progress has stalled. For now, Americans should prepare to enjoy that extra hour when DST ends.
When does Daylight saving time 2025 fall back
As per the reports, Daylight saving time in 2025 will end on Sunday, November 2, at 2 am, when clocks will be set back one hour to 1 am This marks the second-earliest possible date for the seasonal time change to conclude. For Americans, this means an extra hour of sleep, earlier sunsets, and longer nights in many parts of the country.Next year, daylight saving time will begin again on Sunday, March 8, 2026, when clocks “spring forward” to extend evening daylight. The “spring forward, fall back” pattern has become ingrained in American life, but it has also sparked controversy over health, safety, and energy efficiency.
History of Daylight saving time
Daylight saving time was first implemented widely in the US during World War II and later reintroduced in 1973 to conserve energy amid an oil crisis. However, public resistance led to its repeal just a year later. Since the 1960s, DST has been observed nearly nationwide, though some states, like Arizona and Hawaii, have opted out.The practice was designed to make better use of daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting and giving longer summer evenings. Over the years, however, researchers and policymakers have debated its impact on sleep patterns, health, and productivity.
Congressional debate and division over ending daylight saving time
Lawmakers have repeatedly attempted to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes. In March 2022, the US Senate unanimously voted to make daylight saving time permanent, but the effort stalled in the House of Representatives due to lack of consensus.As reported by The Oklahoman, most recently, a bipartisan group of 16 senators renewed the push to keep DST year-round, but Congress has yet to hold hearings. In December, President Donald Trump also expressed support for ending daylight saving time, calling it “inconvenient” and “costly” for the nation.The American public and lawmakers remain divided: some favor staying on standard time year-round, others advocate for permanent daylight saving time, while many prefer to maintain the current system. H.R. 139, known as the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, was introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Florida) to make daylight saving time permanent across the US The bill would allow states that already do not observe DST to remain on standard time, giving them flexibility.An identical version was introduced in the Senate on January 7, 2025. Together, the two bills have 45 cosponsors, including Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Oklahoma). Despite growing interest, the legislation has yet to see significant movement.
Health risks and state efforts to end the twice-yearly clock changes
Critics of the twice-yearly time change argue that switching clocks can lead to sleep disruption, reduced productivity, and increased health risks. While proponents of year-round DST argue it can improve evening leisure time and economic activity, history shows that public opinion is often mixed, with concerns about darker winter mornings and safety.Since 2015, around 30 states have considered or passed legislation to end the semi-annual clock changes, sometimes contingent on neighboring states doing the same.Also Read | World’s first half-trillionaire: Elon Musk surpasses $500 billion net worth with Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI shaping the tech future
