Donald Trump voiced his support on Wednesday for the Sunshine Protection Act, urging the Senate to pass it without delay. He argued that the biannual clock changes negatively impact Americans' health, economy, and public safety.
In a Truth Social post, Trump celebrated the House of Representatives' approval of the bill—passed with 308 in favor and 117 against on July 14—and shifted the focus to the Senate, where the bill is currently pending in the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
"People are fed up with changing the clocks twice a year. It's absurd, inconvenient, and in some cases, very costly," Trump stated, adding that for cities with watchtowers and remote areas, this process incurs millions of dollars in expenses.
The former president also highlighted public health concerns, noting, "It's been argued recently that it's also detrimental to health due to the anxiety it causes."
Potential Benefits of Permanent Daylight Saving Time
Trump listed numerous advantages that, according to medical, criminological, and economic studies, would result from permanently adopting daylight saving time: reductions in thefts and homicides, fewer traffic accidents—especially those involving pedestrians—decreased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and seasonal depression, improved safety for children leaving school, and energy bill savings thanks to an extra hour of natural light in the evenings.
"In other words, let's keep it as it is now and never change it again. This is an issue where Republicans, Democrats, and independents can come together," Trump said, concluding his message with a direct appeal: "I urge Republican senators to pass the Sunshine Protection Act as soon as possible."
Legislative Challenges and Historical Context
The bill, known as H.R. 139 in the 119th Congress, was introduced in January 2025 by Florida Republican Representative Vern Buchanan, with support from fellow Floridian Representative Gus Bilirakis. The House Energy and Commerce Committee had previously approved it in May with a vote of 48 to one.
The main hurdle in the Senate is Republican Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas, who blocked an expedited approval attempt by unanimous consent in October 2025. Cotton argues that permanent daylight saving time would result in dangerously late sunrises during winter: as late as 9:15 a.m. in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and 9:45 a.m. in Williston, North Dakota, posing risks to children and workers.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has not committed to bringing the bill to a vote, and analysts caution that reaching the 60 votes needed to overcome a potential filibuster remains uncertain.
This is not the first attempt to abolish the clock change. In March 2022, the Senate unanimously passed an earlier version of the same legislation, but the House never brought it to a vote.
The most distant historical precedent dates back to 1974 when President Richard Nixon enacted a similar measure during an energy crisis, only to have it repealed less than a year later due to the unpopularity of dark winter mornings.
A 2025 Gallup poll revealed that among those who wish to eliminate the biannual clock change, 48% prefer permanent standard time over the 24% who support permanent daylight saving time, indicating that while the public largely opposes changing the clocks, there is no clear consensus on which alternative to adopt.
Frequently Asked Questions about Daylight Saving Time Legislation
What is the Sunshine Protection Act?
The Sunshine Protection Act is a legislative proposal aimed at making daylight saving time permanent throughout the United States.
Why does Donald Trump support permanent daylight saving time?
Trump supports permanent daylight saving time because he believes that changing the clocks twice a year is harmful to health, the economy, and public safety, and causes unnecessary anxiety.
What are the main arguments against permanent daylight saving time?
Opponents argue that permanent daylight saving time would lead to dangerously late sunrises in winter, potentially affecting children and workers. It could also disrupt natural sleep patterns.
Has a similar measure been attempted before?
Yes, a similar measure was enacted in 1974 by President Richard Nixon during an energy crisis but was repealed within a year due to the unpopularity of dark winter mornings.