President Donald Trump is urging the Senate to act on legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent across most of the United States, ending the twice-yearly practice of changing clocks.
Trump called on senators to approve the measure “as soon as possible” in a weekend post on Truth Social, arguing that more sunlight in the evening is preferable and criticizing the disruptions caused by changing clocks each spring and fall.
The House passed the legislation in July by a 308-117 vote. The measure now awaits consideration in the Senate.
Senate Faces Daylight Saving Time Debate
The Senate is currently on its summer recess and is not scheduled to return to Washington until September 14.
The legislation, known as the Sunshine Protection Act, would establish daylight saving time as the year-round standard across most of the country. If the Senate approves the bill without changes and it is signed into law before the scheduled November 1 clock change, the fall time change could potentially be eliminated.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who is leading the Senate version, has argued that Americans should be able to enjoy more daylight during the evening.
“Floridians love sunshine!” Scott said in a social media post, urging Congress to pass the measure.
The bill has 18 Senate co-sponsors, but it faces opposition from some Republicans who are concerned about the effects of permanent daylight saving time during the winter months.
Northern States Raise Concerns
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has previously opposed similar legislation, citing concerns about late sunrises during South Dakota winters.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) has also repeatedly objected to making daylight saving time permanent. Cotton has argued that keeping clocks on daylight saving time year-round could mean children and workers in northern and central states would begin their days in darkness during the winter.
Cotton has pointed to the nation’s previous experiment with year-round daylight saving time. Congress approved permanent daylight saving time in 1973 as a two-year trial, but the policy was repealed in 1974 after public opposition.
Supporters of the current legislation argue that eliminating the clock changes would reduce disruptions and provide more daylight during the evening, while opponents contend that permanent daylight saving time could create safety and health concerns during darker winter mornings.
Arizona And Hawaii Already Skip Clock Changes
Most of Arizona and all of Hawaii already do not observe daylight saving time.
The proposed legislation would not require those states to adopt permanent daylight saving time, although it would change how exemptions under federal law are handled. States could also take steps to exempt themselves from the new requirement under the legislation.
Health and Safety Concerns
The debate also extends beyond convenience and evening daylight.
Some medical experts argue that if Congress wants to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes, permanent standard time would better align with the body’s natural circadian rhythm.
Dr. Robert Lahita, director of the Institute for Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases at St. Joseph’s Health, has argued that earlier winter sunrises are healthier and that extended periods of darkness can contribute to problems including fatigue and depression.
Supporters of permanent daylight saving time, meanwhile, contend that additional evening daylight could benefit communities and potentially improve public safety.
During the Nixon administration, Congress enacted a two-year trial of permanent daylight saving time, but the experiment was cut short in 1974 due to public pushback.
Trump has made ending the clock changes a recurring issue since returning to office. For now, however, the scheduled November 1 time change remains in place unless Congress passes legislation to alter the system.
Provided by Dallas Express
