SPOKANE, Wash. — For decades, Americans have adjusted their clocks twice a year, springing forward in March and falling back in November. That routine could soon become a thing of the past.
Congress has moved closer than ever to making daylight saving time permanent year-round through the Sunshine Protection Act. The House has already passed the legislation, and it now heads to the Senate for consideration. If approved by both chambers, the bill would go to the president’s desk for signature.
Under the proposed change, people would set their clocks forward one hour and keep them there permanently. This means our summer evenings would be longer, but our winter mornings would be darker.
If the bill passes, Spokane’s December sunrises would happen around 9 a.m., while the sun would set at 5 p.m.
Some people welcome the idea of no longer adjusting their clocks twice a year. “I’d be more in favor of not having to change my alarm clock, you know, every, every six months,” said Hayden Nolting, who was walking around downtown Spokane.
Dr. Alexander Heard, chief medical officer at MultiCare, and who works with their Sleep lab, says people should stick to a consistent sleep schedule, whether we have a time change or not.
“Sleep hygiene is key. And that’s very simple. Things like getting those daylight hours in the morning when you can, usually if you can get out 10 to 20 minutes… and then having a set bedtime every day, ” Dr. Heard said.
He also recommends that people should get outside and spend time in the sun as early as possible in the day. This exposure to natural light would help regulate circadian rhythms and make people feel more tired by the end of the day.
One woman says she doesn’t support the daker mornings. “Honestly, I don’t know if I would get rid of what we have now. I wouldn’t want dark mornings, 9 a.m. sunrises…. I don’t know,” said Emily Able, who was walking around downtown Spokane.
The Sunshine Protection Act has already passed the House Tuesday. It will now head to the Senate, and if approved, would head to President Trumps desk for his signature.
COPYRIGHT 2026 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.