President Donald Trump on Saturday publicly shared what appears to be the personal cellphone number of Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), urging Arkansas constituents to contact him regarding the Sunshine Protection Act. The bill, which would make daylight saving time permanent, passed the U.S. House in July by a vote of 308 to 117 with bipartisan support. It remains stalled in the Senate, where Cotton has opposed the measure.
The president’s post on Truth Social included Cotton’s cellphone number, stating: “Call Tom on his cellphone at 479-453-0533, and let him know... The Sunshine Protection Act was passed in the House by a Vote of 308 to 117. HAVE THE SENATE VOTE, NOW!” Trump argued that ending the twice-yearly clock changes would be “appreciated by all” and cited benefits such as more afternoon sunlight and reduced inconvenience. He also claimed the bill would be a “GREAT Bipartisan WIN for the United States Senate, and for America.”
Cotton has opposed the legislation, citing concerns about darker winter mornings potentially increasing risks for children waiting for school buses and commuters traveling to work. The Sunshine Protection Act, introduced in January 2025, would eliminate the fall and spring clock changes but allow states to opt out if their legislatures act before enactment. Nineteen states have already approved permanent daylight saving time through legislative action.
Trump has previously shifted positions on daylight saving time, at times advocating for its elimination and at other times supporting its permanence. In his post, he also referenced his past electoral success in Arkansas, stating: “everyone in Arkansas, a State I love, and won 3 times, the last by 34 points, tell Tom to, GET IT DONE!”
The bill’s path forward in the Senate remains uncertain, with Cotton’s opposition serving as a key obstacle. The Senate has not scheduled a vote on the measure, and the November 1 transition to standard time remains in effect unless congressional action occurs.