A decades-old debate is back as Congress considers making daylight saving time permanent. Here’s what Newsweek readers think.
Welcome back to The Conversation, where Newsweek highlights readers' comments, opinions and debates on the biggest stories of the week. This week, readers weighed in on one of America's longest-running questions: should the country continue changing the clocks twice a year, or is it time to adopt a permanent system?
Supporters argue that lighter evenings benefit businesses, recreation and outdoor activities, while critics point to concerns over health, sleep and safety. So, should the clocks keep changing, or is it finally time to pick one system? Here's what Newsweek readers had to say: Want to join The Conversation? Sign up here.
Conversations on the Proposed Sunshine Protection Act Original Article: Daylight Saving Map of Proposed Sunset, Sunrise Times as House Bill Passes Background: The House has approved a measure to end the twice-yearly clock changes, with the proposal now heading to the Senate. The move is seen as a political win for President Donald Trump, who has backed permanent daylight saving time despite objections from critics.
The Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 was introduced by Representative Vern Buchanan, a Florida Republican Reader Comment: "A congressman from Florida has no business determining when the sun rises in Maine in the winter.
" RickUWS Editor’s Note: This reader highlighted a key criticism of the proposal: that a one-size-fits-all approach may not reflect the country's regional differences. Reader Comment: "Make the change. Most people deal with dark mornings in winter when using Standard time anyway. Having a bit of sunshine after work in winter is uplifting.
" Halibutski Editor’s Note: Offering a different perspective, this reader argued the benefits of lighter evenings outweigh the drawbacks of darker winter mornings. Reader Comment: "Standard time works best. Our children will always be going to school in daylight! What's more important than the safety of our kids?
" 4370echirr Editor’s Note: Highlighting another common argument, this reader raised concerns about children's safety during the journey to school. Conversations on Previous Attempts to End Clock Changes Original Article: The U.S. Tried Permanent Daylight Saving in 1974 and People Hated It Background: The United States has already tried the experiment, but it proved unpopular.
In response to the 1973 oil crisis, Congress passed the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act and President Richard Nixon signed it into law in December 1973. Reader Comment: "Not everyone hated it. A small, vociferous minority of people complained. If it's dark when school starts, then just start the school day later, in winter anyway.
Congress caved to the complainers. Nothing to see here, folks.
" MissAnnThrope Editor’s Note: Pushing back on the article's premise, this reader argued that opposition to permanent daylight saving time was overstated. Reader Comment: "Most of my clocks change automatically so that's no bother. I don't go to work or school so that's no bother. I don't do late in the day sports so that's no problem.
But the science says it's healthier for us to have Standard Time permanent so that's the one I choose.
" Jonnysid Editor’s Note: This reader backed permanent Standard Time, arguing that health concerns should be prioritized over convenience. Reader Comment: "Every day the sun shines for a specific duration, and it doesn't shine until the next day. It's been that way since long before humans walked upright on the planet. Depending upon the particular day, some activities will occur when it's light, others when it is not light.
Again, nothing new. The only reason for the standard/savings ritual is because we've always done it that way. Time to move on from that antiquated practice.
" Still Reply Editor’s Note: This reader argued that the twice-yearly clock changes are outdated and that the country should adopt a permanent system. Do you agree with these comments? Have your say and look out for more highlights from The Conversation. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Trevor Davieshighlights readers' comments, opinions and debates on the biggest stories of the week.
This week, readers weighed in on one of America's longest-running questions: should the country continue changing the clocks twice a year, or is it time to adopt a permanent system? Supporters argue that lighter evenings benefit businesses, recreation and outdoor activities, while critics point to concerns over health, sleep and safety. The House has approved a measure to end the twice-yearly clock changes, with the proposal now heading to the Senate.
The move is seen as a political win for President Donald Trump, who has backed permanent daylight saving time despite objections from critics. The Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 was introduced by Representative Vern Buchanan, a Florida RepublicanThis reader highlighted a key criticism of the proposal: that a one-size-fits-all approach may not reflect the country's regional differences.
"Make the change. Most people deal with dark mornings in winter when using Standard time anyway. Having a bit of sunshine after work in winter is uplifting.
""Standard time works best. Our children will always be going to school in daylight! What's more important than the safety of our kids?
" Highlighting another common argument, this reader raised concerns about children's safety during the journey to school. The United States has already tried the experiment, but it proved unpopular. In response to the 1973 oil crisis, Congress passed the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act and President"Not everyone hated it. A small, vociferous minority of people complained.
If it's dark when school starts, then just start the school day later, in winter anyway. Congress caved to the complainers. Nothing to see here, folks.
""Most of my clocks change automatically so that's no bother. I don't go to work or school so that's no bother. I don't do late in the day sports so that's no problem. But the science says it's healthier for us to have Standard Time permanent so that's the one I choose.
""Every day the sun shines for a specific duration, and it doesn't shine until the next day. It's been that way since long before humans walked upright on the planet. Depending upon the particular day, some activities will occur when it's light, others when it is not light. Again, nothing new.
The only reason for the standard/savings ritual is because we've always done it that way. Time to move on from that antiquated practice.
" This reader argued that the twice-yearly clock changes are outdated and that the country should adopt a permanent system.
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