The short version
- The Senate is expected to delay action on legislation making daylight saving time permanent until after the midterm elections.
- Republican senators from northern states oppose the measure due to fears of darker mornings for schoolchildren and commuters.
- President Trump has publicly pressured lawmakers to pass the bill, arguing it improves safety and reduces inconvenience.
The United States Senate appears poised to delay action on a House-passed bill that would establish daylight saving time as the permanent national standard. This legislative stall defies explicit pressure from President Donald Trump and dampens expectations among Americans who have long expressed frustration with the biannual clock changes. As the country prepares to turn clocks back an hour in early November, several senators are holding up the legislation, signaling that a vote is unlikely before the end of the year.
President Trump has aggressively advocated for the change, utilizing social media platforms to urge Senate Republicans to pass the measure. He has argued that extending afternoon sunlight benefits public safety by discouraging criminal activity and reduces the physical risks associated with adjusting clocks, particularly for workers on high structures. The president also highlighted personal preferences, noting that additional daylight hours would allow more time for golfing. Despite these appeals, his arguments have not shifted the stance of key Senate leaders.
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a member of the Republican leadership, has emerged as the most vocal opponent of the proposal. He cited historical precedent, noting that Congress previously enacted permanent daylight saving time during the 1973 energy crisis but repealed it shortly after due to public backlash over late winter sunrises. Cotton emphasized that Americans experienced significant inconvenience when children were forced to travel to school in darkness, a concern he believes remains valid today.
Other Republican senators, particularly those representing northern states, share these reservations. Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota pointed out that permanent daylight saving time would result in students walking to school in the dark during winter months. These geographic concerns are significant because the impact of time changes varies considerably across latitudes, with northern regions experiencing more extreme shifts in sunrise times compared to southern areas.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has not publicly endorsed the House bill, though he has voted against similar measures in the past. Senator Todd Young of Indiana indicated that Senate Republican leaders view the legislation as a non-starter for the current session. Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio was even more direct, suggesting that the bill is unlikely to pass the Senate in the near future. The short time remaining before the November 3 midterm election further complicates any potential vote.
Public opinion on the matter remains divided but largely dissatisfied with the status quo. A poll conducted by AP-NORC last year found that only a small fraction of American adults supported the current system of changing clocks twice a year, while nearly half opposed it. Many citizens view the practice as an outdated annoyance that disrupts sleep patterns and daily routines. Medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have also voiced support for eliminating the time change to improve public health.
Florida Senator Rick Scott has been a leading proponent of the change, having previously signed state legislation allowing Florida to remain on daylight saving time pending federal approval. He argues that the current system negatively impacts the economy, health, and general well-being of families. However, his efforts have not overcome the resistance from colleagues who prioritize the concerns of constituents in darker winter mornings.
The debate highlights a tension between modern convenience and historical caution. While digital devices now automatically adjust to time changes, reducing the immediate hassle for many users, the broader implications of permanent daylight saving time remain contentious. Lawmakers are weighing the benefits of extended evening light against the drawbacks of delayed morning sunrises, particularly in regions where winter days are already short.
As the legislative session winds down, attention will likely shift to post-election discussions. The outcome of the midterm elections could influence the composition of the Senate and potentially alter the dynamics of this debate. Until then, Americans will continue to adjust their clocks twice a year, maintaining a tradition that many find burdensome but which lawmakers have yet to abolish.
The failure to pass the bill in the current session underscores the difficulty of achieving consensus on time zone policies. While the president and some supporters view permanent daylight saving time as a simple solution to a minor inconvenience, opponents see it as a change with significant regional consequences. The issue is likely to resurface in future legislative sessions, but for now, the status quo remains intact.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- PBS NewsHour↗Senate is skeptical about making daylight saving time permanent despite Trump's pressure
