President Donald Trump recently threw his support behind the “lock the clock” movement, advocating for the end of the twice-yearly time change. He expressed his views on Truth Social, calling the time change “a big inconvenience and, for our government, A VERY COSTLY EVENT!!!” This statement came just after a bipartisan group of lawmakers conducted a hearing on making daylight saving time permanent.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a session titled “If I Could Turn Back Time: Should We Lock The Clock?” Here, experts from various sectors, including health care, argued against the time change. Originally implemented during World War I to save energy in the evenings, daylight saving time is now seen by some as outdated.
Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz emphasized that technological advancements have diminished the energy-saving benefits of the time change. “Congress has the authority to end this outdated and harmful practice,” Cruz stated during the hearing. He urged for a rational approach to how the nation manages time, considering health, economic, and well-being factors.
Senator Rick Scott from Florida introduced the Sunshine Protection Act earlier this year, aiming to make daylight saving time permanent. The bill has gained support but is still awaiting a vote in the committee. Scott described the time change as “confusing, unnecessary, and completely outdated.”
The Sunshine Protection Act has garnered support from 17 senators, and a companion bill has been introduced in the House by Rep. Vern Buchanan. Scott emphasized the opportunity to “finally get this done with President Trump on board to lock the clock.” The hearing featured testimony from various stakeholders, all advocating for the end of the time change.
Representatives from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the National Golf Course Owners Association provided insights. They highlighted health, safety, and economic concerns tied to the biannual time shift. However, there’s debate about which time system should be adopted permanently.
Standard time aligns with the sun’s position, while daylight saving time offers longer evenings in spring and summer. Trump supports more daylight in the evenings, making daylight saving time the more likely choice moving forward. Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association, testified about the economic benefits of extended daylight for outdoor activities.
Karen cited that standard time would cost the golf industry an estimated $1.6 billion annually. “Trading [time] backward would cost the average public golf course at least seven to eight percent of their annual revenue,” Karen stated. On the other hand, Dr. David Harkey from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety discussed road safety implications linked to the time change.
Harkey pointed out the increased risk of fatal crashes associated with the time shift, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists. “The clearest takeaway… is that there is a strong relationship between increased darkness and fatal crashes,” he noted. Dr. Karen Johnson from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine highlighted negative health impacts tied to clock changes.
Johnson advocated for permanent standard time, saying it allows for better sleep and reduces health risks. “The sun is one of the most powerful drivers of health and well-being,” Johnson explained. She criticized daylight saving time, suggesting it deprives Americans of critical morning light.
Scott Yates, founder of the Lock the Clock Movement, shared studies on the negative effects of time changes, such as harsher judicial sentences. One study found that judges hand out harsher sentences on the day after the March time change. Yates argued that this seemingly harmless change has real consequences.
Public opinion is shifting, with a January Gallup poll showing 54 percent of Americans favor abolishing daylight saving time. The poll also revealed that 40 percent support the change, while 6 percent remain uncertain. A 2022 Monmouth poll found differing preferences, with some Americans advocating for consistent daylight saving time and others supporting standard time year-round.
