By 5 Towns Central Staff

LAWRENCE, N.Y. (July 14, 2026) — Federal lawmakers voted Tuesday to advance legislation aimed at establishing permanent daylight saving time nationwide, moving the long-debated proposal to the Senate. The measure passed the House of Representatives by a substantial margin and has drawn significant attention across local Orthodox Jewish communities due to its potential impact on early morning Minyanim.

Under the proposed Sunshine Protection Act, the twice-yearly ritual of resetting clocks would be eliminated, keeping clocks set one hour forward throughout the winter months. While individual states would retain the ability to opt out and remain on standard time, neighboring jurisdictions could adopt conflicting policies. The core concern for local residents centers on sunrise calculations during the winter months. Moving the clock forward an hour would delay mid-winter sunrises significantly, causing early morning zmanim to shift much later into the day. As a result, early morning minyanim that currently accommodate commuter schedules before work could become impossible to hold at their customary hours, forcing shuls to restructure morning schedules across the area.

Safety advocates and community leaders have also raised concerns regarding children traveling to school during dark morning hours. Similar federal legislation enacted during the energy crisis in the mid-1970s was quickly repealed after parents expressed widespread alarm about students walking and waiting for school buses before sunrise.

Supporters of the measure argue that maintaining extended evening light year-round provides economic benefits, reduces traffic incidents, and promotes healthier daily routines. However, the bill faces an uncertain path in the Senate, where similar time-change proposals have stalled in past legislative sessions. Local community leaders continue to monitor the legislation closely as federal lawmakers deliberate the measure.