Overview
- President Trump posted a nearly 400-word message on Truth Social on Oct. 2 that singled out Sen. Tom Cotton and urged the Senate to pass the Sunshine Protection Act making daylight saving time permanent.
- The House approved the bill 308-117 in July but the Senate recessed for the midterm campaign period with no votes scheduled before Nov. 1, so clocks will still “fall back” this year.
- Senate procedure and Cotton’s public opposition block unanimous consent and would force the bill to clear committee and win roughly 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, a threshold supporters have not assembled.
- Backers point to more evening daylight for business and safety benefits while opponents and medical groups warn of much darker winter mornings, circadian harms and safety risks for schoolchildren and early-morning workers.
- If Congress eventually enacts the House language, clocks would not return to standard time in 2027 and states could opt out, but near-term prospects depend on political pressure, committee action and post-midterm Senate math.