India, Sept. 22 -- Millions of Americans will soon be forced to adjust their clocks once again, as the annual transition back to standard time approaches on November 1. The scheduled ritual of turning clocks back by one hour will proceed as mandated under existing federal guidelines, after legislative efforts to eliminate the twice-yearly time changes encountered severe roadblocks in the US Senate, dashing hopes for an immediate shift to permanent daylight saving time.

The legislative gridlock persists despite overwhelming momentum earlier in the legislative session, when the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the Sunshine Protection Act in a 308-117 vote. The measure, championed by prominent lawmakers and supported by t...