After over a century of changing our clocks, Daylight Savings may finally be meeting its end. President Donald Trump recently announced his intentions to permanently terminate the practice.
Senators have also pushed for a bipartisan bill to make Daylight Saving Time, which is one hour earlier than Standard Time, permanent. Called the Sunshine Protection Act, this bill unanimously passed the Senate in 2022 but failed to pass the House to become law. It was reintroduced in January 2025.
The U.S. government first temporarily implemented DST in 1918 to save fuel during WWI and WWII. Following the conclusion of these wars, time zones were unregulated for several years. This ended in 1966 when the Uniform Time Act established a nationwide start and end date for DST.
Since 2015, almost every state has considered laws to switch to DST or Standard Time year-round. Federal law currently allows states to opt out of DST and stay permanently on Standard Time. Both Hawaii and Arizona remain on Standard Time year-round, while 20 other states have passed legislation that would make DST permanent if Congress amends the current federal laws.
Springing forward from Standard Time to DST upsets natural circadian rhythms, leading to many adverse effects, such as a 6% increase in fatal car crashes, risk of cardiovascular health problems like heart attacks, and mood disorders.
Many students find the switch disruptive to their daily lives. “It’s annoying,” freshman Xavier Salas said. “It’s something I wouldn’t miss.”
“It messes with how I think about the day,” junior Owen Kaenel said. “I don’t go out as much when it’s darker earlier, and I get less sleep.”
Though originally implemented to reduce energy use, the switch to DST from Standard Time saves very little: only around .34% of total electricity use, according to a meta-analysis study. Moreover, DST actually increases fuel consumption, as people tend to go out and drive places in the evening when there’s more sunlight.
However, the debate between permanently switching to Standard Time or DST is ultimately split.
DST’s lighter evenings promote exercise, especially for people who have after-school activities. “I can get to school earlier,” Salas, who plays sports after school, said.
A permanent switch to DST also may boost the economy, as extended evenings are conducive to more shopping and outdoor activities like golf or barbecuing. The golf industry estimated a $100 million increase in sales from just the extra month added to DST in 1986.
However, a temporary year-long switch to DST in 1973 during the Organization of the Exporting Petroleum Countries oil embargo revealed many downsides as well. Extended DST was so unpopular that the experiment ended after eight months instead of the planned two years.
Research finds Standard Time is also healthier for the human body, as it better aligns internal clocks with the sun. DST has been associated with depression, slower metabolism, cluster headaches, and weight gain.
“I like it being lighter in the mornings,” Kaenel said.
Other students remain satisfied with the status quo. “I like the tradition of it. It makes you feel American,” senior Kim Pols said.
Some like the balance the time switch strikes for people with different preferences. “The morning people get their time in the winter, and the night people in the summer,” senior Maya Rozelle said.
While consensus generally gravitates towards ending the switch between DST and Standard Time, the decision on which of the two to permanently set clocks remains split—only time will tell which prevails.
