November 1 marks another forced adjustment for millions of workers, as daylight saving time ends and clocks move back one hour. This twice-annual ritual, despite widespread public disapproval and documented health risks, persists due to legislative inaction. The shift back to standard time brings earlier sunsets and more morning daylight, but it also underscores the state's failure to address a clear public health concern.
The Cost to Labor
Sleep and health experts consistently warn against the disruption caused by these clock changes. Erik Herzog, a biology and neuroscience professor at Washington University in St. Louis and former president of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, has stated that permanent standard time would be the healthiest option. He explains that clock changes disrupt circadian rhythms, the body's internal clock regulating vital functions. The spring forward, in particular, is linked to increases in heart attacks and car crashes, directly impacting the health and safety of the working class. This burden is borne by labor, while the system continues its arbitrary schedule.
Public sentiment overwhelmingly favors an end to the practice. A 2023 YouGov survey, conducted three years ago, found 62% of Americans wanted to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes. More recently, a January 2025 Gallup poll, taken one year and seven months ago, revealed 54% desired an end to daylight saving time altogether. Of those, 48% preferred year-round standard time, while 24% favored permanent daylight saving time. The collective voice of the populace is clear.
Legislative Inertia Serves No One
Despite this clear public demand and expert consensus, lawmakers remain mired in debate, unable to enact meaningful change. Proposals to either make daylight saving time permanent or eliminate the clock change entirely have advanced, only to stall. The Sunshine Protection Act of 2022, for instance, passed the U.S. Senate four years ago. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill in July to make daylight saving time permanent, but it now faces an uphill battle in the Senate.
Even former President Trump has personally called politicians, urging support for the measure, stating, “Hopefully the Senate's going to approve that one.” Yet, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, has questioned whether the bill has sufficient votes to pass the upper chamber. This legislative paralysis demonstrates how the state, even when presented with a clear mandate for public well-being, struggles to move beyond internal political maneuvering. It's a system designed for gridlock, not for the benefit of its citizens.
Several states and U.S. territories already operate outside this disruptive cycle, maintaining standard time year-round. Hawaii, most of Arizona (excluding the Navajo Nation), American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands offer a practical alternative. Their experience shows that a stable, healthier time standard is achievable. For now, however, most of the country will continue to adjust their clocks on November 1, enduring a tradition that many voters, health experts, and even the president say they're ready to abandon. The cost of this inaction falls squarely on the shoulders of the working population.