Trump Advocates for Permanent Daylight Saving Time
President Donald Trump is urging the Senate to end the practice of changing clocks twice a year. He wants legislation passed that would make daylight saving time permanent. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called on lawmakers to support the “NO MORE CHANGING THE CLOCKS ACT.” He believes more daylight in the evenings could help reduce crime.
House Passes Sunshine Protection Act
The push from Trump follows the House’s passage of the Sunshine Protection Act, H.R. 139. This bill, passed by a bipartisan vote of 308-117 on July 14, aims to make daylight saving time permanent across most of the United States.
Senate’s Next Steps
H.R. 139 was referred to the Senate on July 15, specifically to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. The Senate is currently on recess, returning on September 14. The bill could pass by unanimous consent unless objected to by any senator. Opposition could enforce Senate rules requiring 60 votes to overcome potential filibusters.
Senator Tom Cotton, among others, opposes permanent daylight saving time. He argues that it would result in darker mornings for children and workers during winter. Other Republican senators similarly oppose the bill, as reported by CBS News. Newsweek attempted to contact Cotton for comments.
Potential for Change This Year
If the Senate passes the bill without amendments and President Trump signs it before November 1, daylight saving time could become permanent, eliminating the need to change clocks in November. With 48 days following the Senate’s return, action is possible albeit tight. Amendments might further tense the timetable.
If the Senate doesn’t act, current law prevails, shifting clocks back one hour on November 1.
Trump’s Push Explained
Trump’s repeated advocacy seeks to end biannual clock changes. In April 2025, he prompted Congress to pursue “more Daylight at the end of a day.” The act aligns with bipartisan support and can bolster Trump’s standing ahead of midterms. He claims it might reduce murder and robbery rates.
Lawmakers remain divided on which time should become permanent. Supporters argue for increased usable evening light, while objections arise concerning darker winter mornings. There is a precedent for rapid Senate action on this issue, as evidenced by March 2022’s unanimous consent for an earlier Sunshine Protection Act.
Understanding Daylight Saving Time
Daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March in most U.S. locales, shifting clocks forward by one hour at 2 a.m., moving daylight to the evening. It ends on the first Sunday in November, returning to standard time.
Federal law oversees this practice, though some states and territories do not observe daylight saving time. Notably, Hawaii and much of Arizona abstain, apart from the Navajo Nation. U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands maintain standard time year-round.