A proposal backed by President Donald Trump to make daylight saving time permanent year-round is gaining attention in Washington, but not everyone supports the change.
The legislation, known as the Sunshine Protection Act, would end the twice-yearly clock changes and keep the nation on daylight saving time year-round if approved by Congress and signed into law. Trump has publicly endorsed the measure, arguing that eliminating the clock changes would reduce inconvenience and provide more daylight in the evening.
However, some Orthodox Jewish leaders and organizations have expressed concerns about the proposal. Their opposition centers on the potential for significantly later winter sunrises, which could affect the timing of daily religious practices that are tied to sunrise. Similar concerns have been raised by other religious groups in the past, as daylight saving time can alter the timing of prayers, fasting periods, and other observances tied to natural daylight.
The debate extends beyond religious considerations. Medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have advocated for permanent standard time rather than permanent daylight saving time. These groups argue that standard time aligns more closely with human circadian rhythms and may offer health and safety benefits.
Supporters of permanent daylight saving time point to longer evening daylight, potential economic benefits, and the elimination of the biannual clock changes. Opponents note that winter sunrises in some parts of the country could occur after 8:00 a.m., meaning children could travel to school and workers could commute in darkness for several months each year.
The United States experimented with year-round daylight saving time during the 1970s energy crisis, but Congress repealed the policy within a year after public concerns emerged over dark winter mornings.
The Sunshine Protection Act continues to move through Congress, where lawmakers remain divided over whether the nation should adopt permanent daylight saving time, permanent standard time, or continue the current system of changing clocks twice each year.
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