Senate Blocks Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

The U.S. Senate is unlikely to act before the end of the year on a House-passed bill that would make daylight saving time permanent. Despite aggressive pressure from Donald Trump, several Republican senators are blocking the legislation, signaling that the bill is a non-starter.

Opponents, including Senator Tom Cotton and Senator Mike Rounds, argue that permanent daylight saving time would result in dangerously late sunrises during winter, forcing children to commute to school in the dark. This position draws on historical precedent from 1973, when a similar law was enacted and later repealed following public outcry over late winter sunrises.

President Trump has advocated for the change, claiming that more afternoon sunlight deters criminals and provides more time for activities like golf. Proponents, such as Senator Rick Scott and Senator Ed Markey, argue that eliminating the twice-yearly time change would benefit public health and the economy.