Trump Pressures Senate to Pass Sunshine Protection Act
President Donald Trump is urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Sunshine Protection Act to establish year-round daylight saving time and end biannual clock changes.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July with a 308-117 vote, a measure that would establish year-round daylight saving time across most of the United States. Donald Trump has advocated for the bill to eliminate twice-yearly clock changes and boost tourism, with White House spokesman Davis Ingle confirming the president's commitment to the legislation.
The bill has stalled in the U.S. Senate due to procedural hurdles, including a 60-vote threshold, and opposition from lawmakers such as Senator Tom Cotton. Cotton argues that permanent daylight saving time would result in dangerously late sunrises during winter, forcing children to walk to school in darkness. Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted that geographic concerns heavily influence senators' positions on the matter.
In October, Trump attempted to pressure Cotton by publicly releasing the senator's cellphone number. Because daylight saving time ended on November 2, immediate enactment would cause an abrupt one-hour time jump forward. Experts warn this could lead to software disruptions and chaotic time zone naming, though Hawaii and most of Arizona would remain unaffected as they already operate on year-round standard time.
