Senate debate stalls permanent daylight-saving time bill despite presidential push
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President Donald Trump urged Senator Tom Cotton to support the Sunshine Protection Act, but the proposal to make daylight-saving time year-round remains stalled in the Senate.
President Donald Trump publicly urged the Senate to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight-saving time permanent nationwide, after the measure cleared the House earlier this year. Trump posted his personal phone number on his social-media platform in an effort to persuade Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas to change his opposition.
Cotton, who has said he would block any fast-track effort, responded that previous attempts at year-round daylight-saving time were repealed because they led to very late winter sunrises, affecting schoolchildren. He emphasized that he would prioritize Arkansas’ interests.
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions from lawmakers in different regions. Senators from coastal states, such as Rick Scott and Patty Murray, have supported the bill, citing public frustration with biannual clock changes. In contrast, senators from interior western states, including Steve Daines and Mike Rounds, argue that permanent daylight-saving time would result in dark mornings for schoolchildren.
Senate leaders note that the legislation faces limited floor time as Congress prepares for upcoming priorities, including defense and funding matters, and that regional impacts will influence individual senators’ positions.