Cotton blocks Trump's daylight saving bill as Senate stalls
Senate leadership considers the House-passed measure a non-starter, with several Republicans citing late winter sunrises as a primary concern.
By Nikolai Patterson ·
The Senate is not expected to vote on a bill to make daylight saving time permanent before the end of the year. This inaction defies President Donald Trump, who has aggressively pushed the legislation, and leaves the twice-yearly clock change in place for another cycle. The measure passed the House and is currently stalled in the Senate.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is the most visible opponent of the bill. As a member of the Republican leadership, his position signals a block on the measure. Cotton noted that Congress has attempted to make the time change permanent multiple times in the past, only to repeal those laws when residents complained about late winter sunrises.
Trump publicly targeted Cotton earlier this month, posting his personal cellphone number on social media and demanding the senator "GET IT DONE!" The president has since renewed his pressure, claiming on Truth Social that the Senate is allowing the bill to die despite majority support from the country. He argued that afternoon sunshine is superior and that criminals prefer to work in the dark.
Several other Republicans, particularly those representing northern states, share Cotton's concerns. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., warned that permanent daylight saving time would mean sending children to school in the dark. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., described the House bill as a "non-starter" for Senate Republican leaders. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, was more direct, stating, "No way" the bill will pass soon.
History suggests the current push may face similar fate to the 1973 experiment. During that energy crisis, Congress instituted permanent daylight saving time as a trial. Public support collapsed by October, largely due to complaints about dark mornings for students, leading to the law's repeal. More than 50 years later, the debate continues, though fewer Americans remember that specific historical episode.
Proponents argue the current system is an outdated annoyance. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who signed similar legislation in his state in 2018, called the practice an unnecessary burden on families. He noted that he frequently hears from Americans who are tired of adjusting their clocks. Democratic Sen. Ed Markey, R-Mass., has also supported the change, citing negative impacts on the economy and health.
An AP-NORC poll conducted last year found that only 12% of American adults supported the current time change system. Almost half of respondents opposed it. The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine also back a single, permanent time standard.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has not commented publicly on the specific House bill. However, he has voted against similar versions in the past. With the Senate returning to Washington after the November 3 midterm election, time remains for a vote, though several Republicans predict the bill will not come to the floor.
