Why Orthodox Jews are opposing the new daylight saving bill in Congress

Key Points:

• The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act by a 308-117 vote, aiming to make daylight saving time permanent and eliminate the biannual clock changes; the bill now moves to the Senate where its fate is uncertain.
• Orthodox Jewish groups, including Agudath Israel of America and the Orthodox Union, oppose the bill because later winter sunrises would delay morning prayers that must be conducted in daylight and in a quorum, potentially disrupting work and school schedules.
• The requirement for communal morning prayers (minyan) means many Orthodox Jews attend synagogue early, and a permanent daylight saving time would push sunrise past 8 or 9 a.m. in many areas, complicating attendance and raising safety concerns about children traveling to school in darkness.
• Other opponents include some medical experts who argue that standard time better aligns with human circadian rhythms, as well as school boards and parents worried about dark winter mornings affecting children's safety.
• Previous congressional attempts to end clock changes have failed due to public opposition; while the Senate passed a similar measure in 2022, it did not advance in the House until now.