President Donald Trump publicly pressured Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) to support legislation making daylight saving time permanent, escalating a dispute over the Sunshine Protection Act, which passed the House in March 2023. The bill, introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), aims to eliminate biannual clock changes by establishing permanent daylight saving time nationwide.
Trump shared his personal phone number on Truth Social, urging Arkansas constituents to contact Cotton, who has opposed the measure. Cotton, a vocal critic of the bill, has vowed to block fast-tracking efforts in the Senate, citing concerns over regional impacts. Hallie Shoffner, the Democratic Senate nominee in Arkansas, criticized Trump and Cotton’s focus on the issue, calling for attention to voter priorities instead.
The Sunshine Protection Act would require states to observe daylight saving time year-round, effectively ending the practice of setting clocks back in fall and forward in spring. While the bill has bipartisan support in the House, its progress in the Senate remains stalled amid geographic divisions. Northern states, which generally favor permanent standard time to preserve morning daylight, oppose the change, while southern states tend to support permanent daylight saving time for extended evening sunlight.
Supporters of the bill, including Trump, argue that eliminating clock changes would improve public health, reduce accidents, and simplify scheduling. Opponents, including Cotton, contend the measure lacks sufficient study on potential economic and health consequences, particularly for northern states with shorter winter daylight hours. The debate has divided lawmakers along regional lines, with some senators expressing willingness to consider state-level flexibility rather than a blanket national policy.
The White House has not provided additional details on Trump’s direct lobbying efforts, while Cotton’s office has not responded to requests for comment on his opposition strategy. The bill’s future remains uncertain as Senate leadership has not scheduled a vote.