President Donald Trump on Saturday renewed calls for the U.S. Senate to vote on legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide. The push comes after the House approved the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 in a 308-117 bipartisan vote last month.
The bill, introduced by retiring Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), would eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes by establishing permanent daylight saving time. If enacted, the law would take effect immediately unless individual states opt out through legislative action before the bill’s passage.
The Senate is currently in recess and scheduled to reconvene on September 14, leaving limited time for the chamber to act before the November 1 deadline. The bill was referred to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee after passing the House on July 14.
Arguments in Favor
Trump, in a Truth Social post, argued that permanent daylight saving time would provide more evening sunlight, which he suggested could aid in crime reduction. He also criticized the disruption caused by biannual clock changes, calling the practice “ridiculous” and chaotic.
Opposition from Senate Republicans
Several Republican senators have expressed reservations about the measure. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), the third-ranking GOP leader, has argued that permanent daylight saving time would result in darker winter mornings, particularly in northern states. Cotton previously spoke against the bill on the Senate floor in October 2025, emphasizing the need to consider “second-order implications” of the change.
Other Republican senators opposing the bill include Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.). Among Democrats, senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) have also voted against it, according to CBS News.
Potential Path Forward
The Senate could pass the bill by unanimous consent if no objections are raised. However, if a single senator blocks the measure, it would require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster and proceed to a final vote. The House-passed version does not include a delayed effective date, meaning the change could take effect as soon as the bill is signed into law, potentially before the November 1 deadline.
States that currently do not observe daylight saving time—Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii—would not be required to adopt the change under the bill. However, the legislation would repeal exemptions granted under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, allowing states to opt out only if they act before the bill’s enactment.