Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday advocated for the Senate to swiftly approve legislation that would establish daylight saving time as a permanent fixture. He contended that eliminating the biannual clock adjustments would enhance public safety, stimulate economic growth, and positively impact Americans' well-being.
Trump's appeal comes after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted 308-117 in favor of the Sunshine Protection Act. This proposed bill would permit states to observe daylight saving time throughout the year.
Congressional Path and Public Sentiment
Despite receiving strong bipartisan backing in the House, the bill has not yet been addressed by the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain due to reservations from lawmakers across both political parties.
In a statement shared on Truth Social, the former president asserted,
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.
He added that individuals are
sick and tired of having to change their clocks twice a year,describing the practice as
foolish, inconvenient and, in some cases, very costly.
Legislative support for making daylight saving time permanent has generally originated from representatives of coastal states, while opposition has largely been concentrated among lawmakers from the Midwest and states with significant agricultural sectors.
Arguments for Permanent Daylight Saving
Trump maintained that making daylight saving time permanent would bolster the economy and offer Americans an additional hour of daylight during the evenings. He also contended that for
Cities and States with Watchtowers, and hard to reach places, it costs Millions of Dollars.
The former president further argued that ending the twice-yearly clock changes would lead to improvements in public health and a reduction in crime rates. Trump noted,
A recent case was made that it is also bad for your health in the anxiety it creates.
He cited various studies to support his position, stating:
Leading Medical, Crime, and Economic Studies have shown that ceasing the biannual time change, giving us one extra hour of natural sunlight in the evenings, will help Decrease Robbery and Murder Rates, Reduce Car Accidents (especially those involving Pedestrians!), Lower Risk for Cardiac Issues, Stroke, and Seasonal Depression, Make It Safer for Children to Walk Home from School, Increase Time with your Family, Strongly Support Extracurricular Activities, Boost the Sports, Fitness, Tourism, Retail, and Restaurant Industries (and more!), and Save Money on Energy Bills, because everyone will be enjoying an EXTRA HOUR OF DAYLIGHT.
He concluded his argument by stating,
In other words, leave it as it is now, and never change again. This is an issue that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can unite behind. I am asking Republican Senators to release their holds, and allow the hotline to clear on the Republican side.He concluded with a direct appeal:
LET'S PASS THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT, ASAP.
Broader Context and Public Opinion
Trump has consistently advocated for an end to the twice-yearly clock adjustments. An internal memo sent to Capitol Hill last month from the White House urged lawmakers to support the Sunshine Protection Act, characterizing it as a
popular, common-sense reform.
While nearly all states advance their clocks by one hour in March and then set them back in November, numerous states have already enacted legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent, contingent upon federal authorization. Notably, Hawaii and the majority of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time.
A survey conducted by the Associated Press-NORC and released in December indicated that only 12% of Americans favor the current system of changing clocks twice annually. Nearly half of respondents expressed opposition to the practice, while 40% held no specific opinion.