Those hoping that 2026 would be the year that finally ends Daylight Saving Time (DST) may be in for a disappointment. Despite support from the president, dozens of states and a bipartisan majority in the House, the Sunshine Protection Act remains stalled in the Senate with Nov. 1 fast approaching. Unless Congress acts soon, Americans will once again set their clocks back an hour when DST ends this fall. The legislation would make DST permanent nationwide, ending the twice-yearly clock change that many Americans say they want gone. Yet despite years of debate and growing political support, Congress has repeatedly failed to get a proposal across the finish line. For now, the clock is ticking. Congress is scheduled to leave for another extended recess on Oct. 5, leaving little time for the Senate to act before clocks will fall back on Nov. 1. In total, 19 states have enacted laws to make DST permanent, but these laws can't go into effect until Congress allows it at the federal level. In 2026, 16 states have introduced 23 bills concerning daylight saving and standard time. Under current federal law, states can opt to observe permanent standard time, like Arizona and Hawaii have, but can't do the same with DST. Some states have additional contingencies attached to their laws, like Delaware and Utah, which only enact permanent DST if surrounding states do as well. For now, no Senate vote has been scheduled, and it's unclear whether the chamber plans to take up the bill at all before clocks fall back. Unless that changes soon, the twice-yearly ritual isn't going anywhere in 2026.
