President Donald Trump has called on Congress to approve the Sunshine Protection Act, proposing it could help in reducing murder and robbery rates. Since World War One, the U.S. has made periodic adjustments to clocks during warmer months to extend daylight in the evening, known as Daylight Saving Time (DST). In autumn, clocks are set back by an hour as most of the nation returns to standard time.
The legislation passed in the House of Representatives in mid-July, with 308 lawmakers supporting and 117 opposing. It is now under Senate consideration, with the president eager to sign it into law if approved.
“For many years, the vast majority of Americans have asked to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but no administration has been able to get it properly done, until now,” Trump stated in a post on Truth Social. “I am proud to announce that the House of Representatives has passed the Bill, and it has now gone to the Senate for final approval.”
He further emphasized: “Leading medical, crime, and economic studies indicate that stopping the biannual time change, providing one extra hour of natural sunlight in the evenings, will decrease robbery and murder rates, reduce car accidents (especially involving pedestrians), lower risk for cardiac issues, stroke, and seasonal depression, make it safer for children to walk home from school, increase family time, support extracurricular activities, boost sports, fitness, tourism, retail, and restaurant industries, and save money on energy bills, due to an extra hour of daylight.”
Trump concluded by stating the importance of maintaining continuity in time settings and urged bipartisan support: “In other words, leave it as it is now, and never change again. This is an issue that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can unite behind. I am asking Republican Senators to PASS THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT, ASAP.”
This story is still developing. More updates to follow.