US clocks fall back Nov. 1 as Senate gridlock preserves twice-yearly time changes

Key points

• Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2026, for most of the US, excluding Hawaii, most of Arizona, and US territories.
• The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent, passed the House in July but has stalled in the Senate.
• President Trump has pushed for Senate action, even publicly sharing Sen. Tom Cotton's phone number to pressure him, but the bill faces opposition.
• Public opinion is divided: Gallup found 48% support permanent standard time, while 24% prefer permanent daylight saving time, despite a 2025 AP-NORC poll showing 56% favor permanent daylight saving time.
• Sleep experts advise seeking 15-20 minutes of morning sunlight to help adjust to the time change and circadian disruption.

Background

The US first adopted daylight saving time in 1918 during World War I to conserve fuel. Congress repealed it after the war but reintroduced year-round daylight saving time during World War II and the 1970s energy crisis, both times reversing course due to concerns about late sunrises. The current twice-yearly system has been in place since 2007, when the end date moved from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in November.

How outlets are covering it

Axios and CBS News emphasize the political deadlock, noting Trump's public feud with Sen. Tom Cotton and the bill's likely expiration in January. Scripps News highlights the public's mixed feelings, citing polls that show most Americans oppose the current system but are split on whether permanent daylight saving time or standard time is preferable. The Washington Post focuses on the practical impact, advising readers to use morning sunlight to adjust their circadian rhythms. All sources agree that the time change will occur on Nov. 1, but they differ on the likelihood of legislative change, with Axios and CBS News suggesting the bill may die, while Scripps News notes the Senate has until the end of the year to act.

Why it matters

The twice-yearly time change disrupts sleep cycles and daily routines for millions of Americans. The ongoing debate over permanent daylight saving time or standard time reflects broader concerns about public health, safety, and the impact of artificial time shifts on natural circadian rhythms. The political gridlock ensures that the current system will continue, at least until the next congressional session.

What to watch

Most Americans will spring forward again on March 14, 2027, unless Congress passes the Sunshine Protection Act or an alternative bill like the Sunshine for Our Kids Act, which would make standard time permanent. The midterm elections in November 2026 could shift the balance of power in Congress, potentially altering the debate over daylight saving time.