President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed calls for the Senate to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide. The bill, already approved by the House, has stalled in the Senate despite the president’s public advocacy.
In a Truth Social post, Trump criticized the Senate’s inaction, citing recent early sunsets as a key concern. He noted that on Sunday, the sun set at 5:06 p.m., with darkness arriving shortly after at 5:31 p.m., calling the timing "ridiculous."
Trump’s rationale for delayed advocacy
Trump explained in his post that he had avoided making the issue a major focus before the midterm elections to prevent potential political harm to certain Republican senators. He stated he did not want to risk their races in a "landslide" defeat, though he did not specify which senators he believed would be affected. Democrats secured control of both chambers of Congress in the elections, leaving Republicans in a challenging legislative position.
Legislative status of the Sunshine Protection Act
The Sunshine Protection Act would eliminate the biannual clock changes by establishing permanent daylight saving time across most of the United States. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives in March 2022 but has yet to receive a vote in the Senate. Supporters argue the change would simplify scheduling, improve public health, and reduce energy consumption, while opponents cite concerns over darker winter mornings and potential disruptions to agricultural schedules.
Daylight saving time transition
Daylight saving time ended on Sunday, November 1, when clocks were turned back one hour at 2 a.m. local time, marking the return to standard time. The change resulted in an extra hour of sleep but also earlier sunsets, which have drawn renewed criticism from advocates of permanent daylight saving time.
Next steps
Trump indicated he would continue pushing for the legislation, stating, "We have far bigger priorities, but I will keep fighting for this!" The Senate has not yet scheduled a vote on the bill, and its future remains uncertain amid competing legislative priorities.