By Shira Kramer, Managing Editor
We all know that changing the clocks happens twice a year. From an early age, kids are taught about daylight savings time with the common mnemonic phrase “Spring forward, fall back.” However, most people probably haven’t questioned whether daylight saving time is even necessary. President Donald Trump’s new promise to end daylight saving time brings up the important question: Why change the clocks at all?
Benjamin Franklin first proposed the idea of daylight saving in 1784, when he realized it would save people money and conserve candle usage. In 1918, the first distinction between standard time and daylight saving time was enacted into law with The Standard Time Act. However, daylight saving time was repealed a year later. Changing times was then left to local jurisdictions. During World War II, daylight saving time was reestablished federally.
In 1966, the Uniform Time Act established standards for when the times would change each year. While there have been a few more changes to the federally recognized start and end dates to these time changes, the United States observes daylight saving time from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November, when the clocks go back to standard time.
While clock changes are nationally recognized, not all 50 states observe both daylight saving time and standard time. Both Hawaii and Arizona (excluding the Navajo Nation which does observe daylight savings) observe permanent standard time. Many U.S. territories do not observe daylight saving time.
People in favor of daylight saving time argue that in the summer, having more daylight hours outside of the common work hours helps improve mental and physical health. However, sleep expert Adam Spira says that “exposure to more light closer to bedtime makes it harder to fall asleep at our usual bedtime and reduces the amount of sleep we’re able to get each night.”
Additionally, daylight saving time can also affect sleep schedules. According to Spira, our bodies are supposed to wake up and go to sleep with the sun. During daylight saving time, we wake up in the dark and go to sleep when it’s still light. This can decrease our potential sleep hours as our circadian rhythm does not naturally progress as it should.
In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would stop the clock changes. However, this would also enact permanent daylight saving time and get rid of standard time altogether. The U.S. House of Representatives did not pass this bill at the time. Currently, as both the House and Senate are controlled by the Republican party, President Trump may be able to get the act passed. Additionally, 19 states have passed legislation to use permanent daylight saving time if the act is passed through Congress.
Department of Government Efficiency members Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy agree with President Trump’s wish to end time changes. The new administration believes changing the clocks is both inconvenient and costly to Americans.
In a X Post last year, President Trump commented, “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation.”
YouGov conducted a poll of Americans in March of 2023 to see whether they agreed on the time changes. The poll found that 62% of Americans wish to get rid of clock changes. However, only 50% want to keep permanent daylight saving time.
Since President Trump promised to look into these matters after he assumed the presidency last month on January 20, Americans will certainly hear about the clock change matter soon from the White House.