Image Source: The New York Times
Daylight savings has triggered an unexpected clash between President Donald Trump and one of his most prominent Republican allies, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas. The disagreement centers on whether the United States should stop changing its clocks twice a year and allow states to observe daylight saving time permanently.
The issue has gained renewed attention after Trump urged the Senate to act on the Sunshine Protection Act, a proposal that would let states voluntarily remain on daylight saving time throughout the year. The House passed a related measure during the summer, but the legislation has stalled in the Senate.
A Powerful Senate Showdown Over Daylight Savings
Trump increased pressure on lawmakers over the weekend, arguing that Americans are tired of adjusting their clocks every spring and fall. He described the legislation as a potential bipartisan victory and called on Arkansas residents to encourage Cotton to support it.
In an unusual move, Trump shared Cotton’s personal phone number on Truth Social while criticizing the senator’s opposition. The president said that “almost everybody” favored the measure except Cotton and urged the people of Arkansas to contact their senator.
Cotton responded that he also dislikes changing the clocks but believes permanent daylight saving time would create serious problems during the winter months. He pointed to previous experiments with year-round daylight saving time, noting that Congress eventually repealed those changes after Americans faced extremely late sunrises.
Why Tom Cotton Opposes the Clock Change
Cotton’s central concern involves children traveling to school before sunrise. Under permanent daylight saving time, winter mornings would become darker, especially in northern and western states. He warned that Arkansas students could be forced to wait for school buses in what he described as “pitch dark” conditions.
That argument has resonated with lawmakers from states where winter sunrises already occur late in the morning. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana said the proposal could result in sunrise arriving as late as 9:30 a.m. in parts of western Montana.
“I can see where Florida likes it for tee times at certain times of the year, but it doesn’t work so well for moms and dads putting kids on buses,” Daines said, according to comments cited in the report.
Regional Divide Threatens Permanent Daylight Saving Time
The debate over daylight savings is not strictly divided along party lines. Instead, geography appears to be playing a major role. Some coastal and southern states favor longer evening daylight, while lawmakers in mountainous and northern regions are more concerned about dark winter mornings.
Supporters say permanent daylight saving time could reduce confusion, help families enjoy more sunlight after work and eliminate the disruption caused by changing clocks. Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, has previously supported legislation to end the twice-yearly clock adjustment.
“Every year, more Americans grow more frustrated setting their clocks back and forth,” Murray said in an earlier statement.
Other lawmakers remain cautious. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming said the question depends heavily on where people live and how the change would affect individual states. That regional complexity could make it difficult for Senate leaders to secure enough support.
What Happens Next in Congress?
The legislation faces a crowded Senate schedule when lawmakers return after the November midterm elections. Major priorities are expected to include the National Defense Authorization Act, supplemental funding connected to overseas conflicts and a looming government funding dispute.
Although the idea of ending clock changes has broad public appeal, Senate leaders may not consider it urgent enough to receive valuable floor time. The measure would also need to overcome resistance from lawmakers who believe the current system is safer and more practical.
The United States previously adopted permanent daylight saving time in the 1970s. The experiment lasted roughly one year before lawmakers reversed course after public frustration grew over dark winter mornings and children traveling to school before sunrise.
For now, the Senate appears unlikely to deliver the quick victory Trump wants. The president’s public pressure campaign has elevated the issue, but Cotton’s opposition highlights the difficult tradeoffs facing lawmakers across different regions.
The fight also demonstrates how a seemingly simple question about clocks can become a major political dispute. Whether Congress eventually chooses permanent daylight saving time, permanent standard time or the current system, the decision could affect school schedules, morning commutes, businesses and daily routines nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daylight Savings
What is the Sunshine Protection Act?
The Sunshine Protection Act is legislation designed to end the twice-yearly clock change by allowing states to remain on daylight saving time year-round.
Why does Tom Cotton oppose permanent daylight saving time?
Cotton argues that winter sunrises would occur too late, potentially leaving children waiting for school buses and traveling to school in darkness.
Does Donald Trump support ending clock changes?
Yes. Trump has urged Senate lawmakers to advance legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent in states that choose to adopt it.
Why is the bill difficult to pass?
The proposal has created a regional divide. Southern and coastal lawmakers often emphasize evening sunlight, while northern and western lawmakers focus on dark winter mornings.
