Clocks fall back Sunday — but Congress can't agree what time it is
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Americans "fall back" early Sunday — gaining an hour of sleep as Congress stays gridlocked over daylight saving time.
Why it matters: The latest push to make daylight saving time permanent collapsed earlier this week after Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) blocked Sen. Rick Scott's (R-Fla.) Sunshine Protection Act — despite support from President Trump.
- Scott said Americans are "sick and tired" of changing clocks twice a year, while Cotton argued the country must live with an "uneasy compromise."
State of play: In April, Trump urged Congress in a Truth Social post to "push hard for more Daylight at the end of a day," calling the twice-yearly clock change "a big inconvenience and, for our government, a very costly event."
- This week's setback dims hopes of "locking the clock" anytime soon — even after Congress nearly passed the same measure in 2022.
What time do clocks change Sunday
The official switch happens Sunday at 2am, when clocks are set back one hour.
- Most smartphones and computers will update automatically, but microwaves, ovens and car dashboards may need a manual reset.
Flashback: The U.S. tried permanent daylight saving time in 1974, but the experiment ended within a year after dark winter mornings proved dangerous for schoolchildren.
- DST used to run from April to October but the Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended it by around four weeks from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
"Fall back" means "gain an hour"
The intrigue: This weekend's time change is the easier of the two: Americans "gain" an hour of sleep instead of losing one in March.
- Sunrise and sunset will both occur about an hour earlier Sunday — bringing lighter mornings and darker evenings.
Yes, but: Hawaii, most of Arizona and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam are on permanent standard time.
Time change impact
Zoom in: Health groups and sleep experts have called for an end to the seasonal shifting of clocks.
- Most experts support staying in standard time permanently over daylight saving time.
- The March "spring forward" is linked to an increase in car accidents, heart attacks and strokes.
By the numbers: Only 12% of Americans support the current clock-changing system, according to a new AP/NORC poll.
- But the public remains divided: 56% favor year-round daylight saving time, while 42% prefer standard time, the poll of 1,289 adults found.
Next time change is Spring forward 2026
What's next: Daylight saving time is scheduled to return Sunday, March 8, 2026, unless lawmakers decide what time the nation should keep.
- Federal law says states can unilaterally move to standard time, but must have the approval of Congress to adopt permanent daylight saving time.
- 20 states have passed bills or resolutions since 2018 to make daylight saving time year-round if Congress acts, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
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