Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leaders of the Department of Government Efficiency under President-elect Donald Trump, recently supported ending daylight saving time (DST). Musk responded to a tweet criticizing DST, saying, “Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time changes!” Ramaswamy added that it’s “inefficient & easy to change.”
Ending DST would require congressional approval. The practice, which shifts clocks to make better use of daylight, is controversial. Supporters argue it boosts quality of life and reduces energy use, while critics highlight health risks like increased heart problems and mood disorders. In 2022, the Senate passed a bill to make DST permanent, but it stalled in the House, and new proposals have not progressed.
At least 30 states are considering DST-related legislation. Although states can’t make DST permanent under the 1966 federal law, 19 have passed resolutions to do so if the law changes. Some states, including Arizona and Hawaii, don’t observe DST, and others like Georgia and Tennessee are pushing for similar measures. States like Alaska, Kentucky, New York, and Washington are also considering changes.
