Key facts
- President Donald Trump is urging the Senate to pass a bill making daylight saving time permanent.
- The U.S. House of Representatives previously passed the Sunshine Protection Act.
- The bill faces significant bipartisan opposition in the Senate.
- Senator John Kennedy confirmed Trump called him to advocate for the bill.
- Concerns include darker winter mornings and potential health impacts.
U.S. President Donald Trump is actively lobbying senators to pass a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent, a measure that has already cleared the House of Representatives. The Sunshine Protection Act, as it is known, aims to end the twice-yearly clock switching that many Americans find disruptive.
Trump has personally contacted senators, including Republican John Kennedy of Louisiana, to garner support. Kennedy confirmed he agreed to back the bill but acknowledged it faces a challenging path in the Senate, where at least 60 votes are needed for advancement. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has also indicated significant opposition exists within the chamber.
Despite Trump's backing and the House's overwhelming approval of 308-117 on July 14, the Senate is divided. Bipartisan opposition has emerged, with senators from northern states expressing concerns about darker winter mornings, potentially impacting children traveling to school. For instance, Senator Mike Rounds noted that some northern communities might not see sunrise until after 9:30 a.m. during winter months. Senator Tom Cotton has been a vocal opponent, previously blocking efforts to fast-track the legislation.
Religious groups, such as Orthodox Jewish organizations, have also voiced concerns that permanent daylight saving time could interfere with morning prayer schedules tied to sunrise. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon echoed these worries during House debate, highlighting potential disruptions for millions of Americans.
Conversely, proponents like Senator Rick Scott, the bill's Senate sponsor, and Representative Gus Bilirakis argue that permanent daylight saving time would simplify daily life, benefit workers and businesses with more evening daylight, and boost tourism. Representative Jim McGovern, while supporting the bill, questioned its prioritization over cost-of-living issues.
Health experts, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, suggest that standard time aligns better with natural circadian rhythms. They warn that permanent daylight saving time could disrupt sleep patterns, increase risks of accidents, cardiovascular events, and workplace errors, with 63% of Americans preferring to eliminate seasonal time changes and 55% experiencing tiredness after the switch.