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Senate delays vote on permanent daylight saving time; clocks fall back Nov. 1
Americans will turn their clocks back on November 1, 2026, as the Senate has failed to schedule a vote on the Sunshine Protection Act despite House passage and President Trump's repeated calls for action. The bill would make daylight saving time permanent and eliminate twice-yearly clock changes, though experts and the public remain divided on whether permanent daylight saving or standard time would be preferable.
Quick Facts
- Daylight saving time ends
- Clocks turn back one hour
- Sunshine Protection Act passed by House
- Senate has not scheduled vote on Sunshine Protection Act
- President Donald Trump
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Americans will turn their clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, reverting to standard time, as the U.S. Senate has not scheduled a vote on the Sunshine Protection Act despite the House passing the legislation in July.
President Trump has repeatedly urged the Senate to act on the bill, calling the twice-yearly clock change "foolish, inconvenient and, in some cases, very costly" and arguing that permanent daylight saving time would reduce traffic accidents, lower crime, save energy, and provide families with more evening daylight. In an August social media post, Trump wrote: "People are sick and tired of having to change their clocks twice a year" and called on lawmakers to "LET'S PASS THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT, ASAP."
Despite bipartisan House approval and presidential support, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has previously questioned whether sufficient Senate support exists to pass the measure. The chamber returned from a five-week recess on September 14 with no vote scheduled, leaving less than two months before the November 1 deadline.
Experts remain divided on the best path forward. Sleep and health researchers generally agree that switching clocks twice annually disrupts the body's circadian rhythm and affects sleep patterns. However, many experts argue that permanent standard time, rather than permanent daylight saving time, would better align with the body's natural clock. Proponents of the bill cite improved sleep and productivity, while opponents warn that permanent daylight saving time would result in darker winter mornings, with children waiting for school buses in darkness until around 8:30 a.m. in northern regions.
Polls show mixed American preferences. A 2023 YouGov survey found 62% of Americans favored eliminating time changes, while a January 2025 Gallup poll found 54% supported ending the practice. An AP-NORC poll from late 2025 found 56% of adults prefer permanent daylight saving time. Americans remain divided on which time system should replace the current twice-yearly change.
Why This Matters
On November 1, 2026, all Americans observing daylight saving time must reset clocks backward, as the Senate has not acted on the Sunshine Protection Act despite House passage in July and presidential advocacy. The legislative delay leaves uncertainty for employers, schools, and infrastructure operators who would face different national clock policies if the Senate passes or blocks the bill; sleep researchers report that twice-yearly transitions disrupt circadian rhythms affecting productivity and accident rates, while disagreement persists over whether permanent daylight or standard time better serves public health and economic interests.
Timeline & Sources
Jul 14, 2026
WireU.S. House of Representatives passes Sunshine Protection Act
Aug 4, 2026
WirePresident Trump posts on Truth Social urging passage of Sunshine Protection Act
Sep 14, 2026
WireU.S. Senate returns from five-week recess with no vote on Sunshine Protection Act scheduled
Nov 1, 2026
WireDaylight saving time ends; clocks turn back one hour to standard time