Time governs our lives, allowing us to create, stretch, or even lose it. However, it is the Congress and Presidents who hold the reins of time. Politicians possess the authority to determine the exact hour and minute of the day. This is why we “spring forward” this weekend, and if you find yourself losing an hour of sleep, the blame falls on Congress, not on DOGE.
This control over time by lawmakers has a long history, dating back over two centuries. The Constitution grants Congress the power to establish standards of measurement, including time, alongside other important responsibilities. Daylight Saving Time, which robs us of an hour abruptly, was first implemented under the Johnson administration following the Uniform Time Act of 1966.
Lawmakers are akin to “Time Lords” from Doctor Who, though their battles are fought over time changes rather than in a cosmic war. Some politicians believe it’s time to end the biannual time change, labeling it as an outdated practice hindering progress.
Florida legislators advocate strongly for maintaining the time change due to the state’s heavy reliance on outdoor activities and tourism. Sen. Rick Scott proposed legislation to freeze time, eliminating the back-and-forth between Daylight Savings Time and Standard Time. Former Senator Marco Rubio also championed a bill for year-round Daylight Saving Time, which gained unanimous Senate approval but faltered in the House.
The concept of Daylight Saving Time traces back to the Standard Time Act of 1918 during World War I, aiming to maximize daylight in the evening hours. While some lawmakers support these changes, opposition arose from farmers and western residents who feared the impact on their daily routines.
In the grand scheme of things, the control and manipulation of time by Congress and Presidents hold significant sway over our daily lives.
Congress voted to repeal the time change that President Wilson wanted to keep. Despite his veto, Congress approved the Standard Time Act in 1918, marking the first iteration of Daylight Saving Time under President Wilson. What followed is a remarkable aspect of time legislation, Congress, and the presidency. Throughout American history, there have been only 112 successful overrides of a presidential veto, with one of them pertaining to time legislation. Congress overrode Wilson’s veto and restored the hour gained during World War I.
Presidents have utilized executive orders to adjust time during periods of crisis to optimize daylight. For example, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt altered the clocks during World War II, and President Richard Nixon did the same during the OPEC oil shocks of the 1970s.
There were speculations that President Trump might address the issue of time changes as he had criticized seasonal time changes for years. However, when questioned by colleague Peter Doocy, President Trump appeared hesitant to make any significant changes. While there were initial beliefs that a second Trump administration could mean the end of Daylight Saving Time, the President did not seem enthusiastic about taking decisive action.
Despite the general discontent with changing the clocks, concerns persist about early darkness in winter or impractical sunrise times in summer, depending on one’s location.
While political divisions in the country are deep, there is a call for Americans to unite around the idea of not having to switch their clocks. However, not all lawmakers share the same sentiment, with some like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries brushing off questions about their stance on daylight savings.
In the end, the decision on time lies with Congress, as Shakespeare noted that “what is past is prologue.” Despite legislative efforts, it is likely that everyone will have to adjust their clocks once again in October when we fall back.
