Should the US end daylight saving time? Musk and Ramaswamy say yes
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy aim to end daylight saving time, sparking debate on permanent time zones and health impacts.
Straight Arrow News
Fall is here, which means the end of this year’s daylight saving time is coming up.
In November, millions of Americans will turn back their clocks, marking the end of daylight saving time in 2025. The controversial practice of “springing forward” and “falling back” has been observed in most states for decades.
Under the current daylight saving period, most Americans lose an hour of sleep on the second Sunday of March and gain an hour on the first Sunday of November.
Here’s what to know about the end of daylight saving time in 2025.
When does daylight saving time end in 2025?
In 2025, daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Nov. 2.
Do clocks go backward or forward in November?
In the fall, participating states turn clocks backward one hour on the first Sunday of November.
When does daylight saving time begin in 2026?
Dayling saving time begins March 8 in 2026.
Why do we gain an hour in November?
We gain an hour in November to accommodate for more daylight in the mornings. When we “spring forward” in March, it’s to add more daylight in the summer evenings.
When did daylight saving time start in the U.S.? Why was it created?
Daylight saving time was introduced in the United States in 1918 with the Standard Time Act, which was meant to lower fuel costs during the First World War. The law also established a standard time and allowed the federal government to create five time zones.
The government stopped observing daylight saving time after World War I ended but reimplemented it during World War II. Congress decided to make daylight saving time permanent for two years from 1973 to 1975, extending the hours of daily sunlight year-round to conserve energy during the oil embargo crisis. However, the law was repealed in 1974 for being unpopular and ineffective.
In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, standardizing the length of daylight saving time. The dates we use to observe daylight saving time today ‒ starting on the second Sunday of March and ending on the first Sunday of November – were established in 2005 when Congress amended the act.
According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.
Which states don’t have daylight saving time?
Hawaii and parts of Arizona do not participate in daylight saving time. The Navajo Nation ‒ which spans Arizona, Utah and New Mexico ‒ does observe the time change, making it the lone participant in Arizona.
The territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands do not observe daylight saving time.
Is it daylight savings time or daylight saving time?
While it’s common to hear “daylight savings” with an “s,” the correct term is “daylight saving time,” since the practice saves daylight.
Is daylight saving time ending permanently?
Not yet. According to The Arizona Republic, there have been discussions about abolishing the semiannual time changes, and President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and others support it. But any permanent change would require congressional approval.
While several states have passed bills to establish year-round daylight saving time, any changes require federal action. Until the Uniform Time Act is repealed or a new federal bill is passed, the time changes will still occur in 2025 and 2026.
Is Ohio considering getting rid of daylight saving time?
No state can adopt permanent daylight saving time unless the U.S. Congress passes a law to authorize it first, USA TODAY reports.
However, Ohio’s House State and Local Government Committee passed House Concurrent Resolution 7 in October 2023, urging Congress to enact the Sunshine Uniformity Act. This act would make daylight saving time permanent and end the bi-annual tradition of changing the clocks.
The bill was adopted by the House and referred to a Senate committee in December 2023.
What states are considering getting rid of daylight saving time?
Ohio is one of at least 31 states considering legislation related to daylight saving time as of 2025. Here are the states that are considering getting rid of switching time.
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachussetts
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
Contributing: Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic.
