Donald Trump Urges Senate to Make Daylight Saving Permanent

President Donald Trump is urging Republican senators to release their holds and pass the Sunshine Protection Act, a bipartisan measure that would make daylight saving time permanent across the United States. The bill passed the House of Representatives on July 14 with a 308-117 vote after being introduced by Representative Vern Buchanan.

Trump has advocated for the measure on Truth Social and in public appeals, characterizing the current system of switching clocks as "foolish, inconvenient and, in some cases, very costly." He argues that permanent daylight saving time would reduce crime, car accidents, and health risks such as cardiac issues and seasonal depression, suggesting the issue is one that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can unite behind.

Despite support from figures like Senator Rick Scott, the legislation faces hurdles in the Senate, which remains in recess until September 14. Opponents, including Senator Tom Cotton, argue that the change would push winter sunrises to an "absurdly late hour," potentially harming the safety of schoolchildren and working Americans. If the act does not pass, clocks are scheduled to return to standard time on November 1, 2026.