NEW YORK (VINnews) A renewed push by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans to make Daylight Saving Time permanent is drawing concern from Orthodox Jewish leaders, who say the change could create major challenges for religious observance.

The debate intensified after the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 48-1 last week to advance the Sunshine Protection Act as part of a broader transportation package. The legislation, backed by Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Vern Buchanan, would place the United States on year-round Daylight Saving Time, while allowing individual states to opt out and remain on Standard Time.

Supporters say ending the twice-yearly clock changes could improve convenience and reduce disruptions.

But Orthodox Jewish advocates warn that permanent Daylight Saving Time could push winter sunrise times so late that many observant Jews would struggle to complete morning prayers before work or attend synagogue services before commuting. Rabbis and advocacy groups say Jewish law requires certain morning prayers, as well as the wearing of tefillin and prayer shawls, to take place only after dawn and sunrise.

Under the proposal, sunrise in New York would occur after 8 a.m. for nearly two months during the winter, while cities such as Detroit could see sunrises after 9 a.m. for several weeks, according to Orthodox advocates opposing the bill.

The Orthodox Union warned that the change could interfere with the ability of observant Jews “to engage in congregational prayers and get to their places of work on time.”

Agudath Israel of America, which opposed a similar proposal in 2022, said permanent Daylight Saving Time could force many synagogues to reduce the number of daily morning prayer services and leave observant Jews choosing between communal prayer and maintaining work schedules.

Others argue permanent Standard Time would create different religious challenges, including much earlier Friday Sabbath preparations and earlier synagogue services during the summer months.

Rabbinic leaders and community advocates say the current system, while imperfect, better accommodates religious practice by balancing seasonal daylight changes throughout the year.