Senate Stalls Daylight Saving Time Bill Backed by Donald Trump
Legislation to make daylight saving time permanent remains stalled in the Senate despite strong backing from President Donald Trump and House leadership.
At a glance
- The House previously passed the Sunshine Protection Act with strong bipartisan support.
- President Donald Trump has pressured the Senate to pass the bill and take a vote.
- Opponents like Senator Tom Cotton warn permanent daylight saving time causes unacceptably dark winter mornings.
Americans are adjusting their clocks backward as the biannual ritual returns, while a legislative push to abolish the practice remains stalled in the Senate.
Despite approval from the House and public support, the Sunshine Protection Act faces strong resistance from a bipartisan group of senators.
House Approval and Senate Stalling
The House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July by a 307 to 117 vote, drawing majorities from both parties. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise urged the upper chamber to take up the measure, arguing that more evening daylight benefits businesses, families, and safety.
Meanwhile, progress on the bill has completely stopped within the Senate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted that while discussions are ongoing, there is currently no clear path forward or consensus for the bill.
Political Pressure and Pushback
President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged the upper chamber to pass the bill, posting on social media that the Senate is letting the legislation die despite widespread public demand. His pressure campaign included sharing the cellphone number of Senator Tom Cotton, a vocal opponent of the bill.
Senator Cotton defended his stance, arguing that previous attempts at permanent daylight saving time were repealed after citizens experienced extremely late winter sunrises. He stated that he wants to prevent children from walking to school in pitch darkness.
Senate Schedule and Regional Opposition
The stalemate highlights the ongoing friction between the House and the Senate over legislative priorities, especially with a crowded calendar awaiting lawmakers after the election. While House Majority Leader Steve Scalise argues the change offers practical benefits, institutional caution and concerns over dark winter mornings continue to slow the bill's progress in the upper chamber.
Lawmakers must weigh popular public sentiment against regional opposition from senators who fear the unintended consequences of permanent daylight saving time.
What to watch: Whether Senate leadership schedules floor time for the Sunshine Protection Act after the election.
Reporting from: Fox News. Spotted an error? Tell us.
- Daylight Saving Time
- US Senate
- US House of Representatives
- Legislation
- United States
- Politics