Former President Donald Trump has urged the Senate to swiftly pass the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill that would establish daylight saving time as a permanent fixture across the United States. The call for legislative action follows the House of Representatives' recent vote to approve the measure, which aims to end the practice of changing clocks twice annually.
Trump, speaking on Truth Social, described the twice-yearly clock changes as "foolish, inconvenient and, in some cases, very costly." He argued that making daylight saving time permanent would not only satisfy the long-standing public desire for an end to the clock changes but also yield significant benefits for public safety, the economy, and overall health. "For many years, the vast Majority of Americans have asked to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but no Administration has been able to get it done, until now," Trump stated.
The House approved the Sunshine Protection Act with a vote of 308-117, reflecting bipartisan support. However, the bill's path forward in the Senate remains uncertain, with some lawmakers expressing reservations. Trump has encouraged Republican senators to remove any legislative holds that could prevent the bill from advancing.
According to Trump, permanent daylight saving time could lead to a reduction in crime and traffic accidents, particularly those involving pedestrians. He also cited potential health benefits, including decreased risks of cardiac issues and stroke, and a lessening of seasonal depression. Furthermore, he suggested that the change would support families by providing more evening daylight for children and extracurricular activities, and it would provide a boost to various industries such as sports, fitness, tourism, retail, and restaurants. Energy savings were also noted as a potential benefit.
Trump's stance aligns with a growing public sentiment; an AP-NORC survey from December indicated that only 12% of Americans favor the current system of changing clocks twice a year. While most states currently observe daylight saving time, Hawaii and most of Arizona are exceptions. Several states have already passed legislation to make daylight saving time permanent, contingent on congressional approval.