Senate blocks permanent daylight saving time bill

The Senate is expected to let a House-passed bill to make daylight saving time permanent expire before the end of the year. This outcome defies President Donald Trump’s recent push for the legislation and leaves Americans with the current system of changing clocks twice annually.

Daylight saving time ends early Sunday, when most of the country sets clocks back one hour. Senators are delaying action on the bill that would eliminate this practice. Supporters argue the change would provide more daylight in the afternoon. Opponents contend that residents in northern states would face sunrises after 9 a.m.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is the most vocal opponent among Senate leadership. He noted that Congress has enacted permanent daylight saving time in the past and repealed it after experiencing late winter sunrises. Cotton drew the president’s attention earlier this month when Trump posted his personal phone number on social media and ordered Cotton to get the bill passed.

Several other Republicans, particularly those from northern states, also oppose the measure. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said the change would send children to school in the dark. Trump has renewed his call for the bill on Truth Social, stating that a vast majority of the country wants the change. He also cited the benefits of more daylight for activities like golf and noted that criminals prefer working in the dark.

Trump’s arguments have not changed many Senate votes. Cotton has maintained his position in response to the pressure. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., said the House bill is a non-starter for Senate Republican leaders. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, was more blunt about the bill’s prospects, saying there is no way it will pass the Senate anytime soon.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has not weighed in publicly on the specific House bill. However, he has voted against similar versions in the past. Several Republicans predict the bill will not come up for a vote before the Senate returns from the November 3 midterm election break.

The current debate echoes a previous attempt in 1973. Congress passed a law instituting permanent daylight saving time during an energy crisis. That law was repealed by October of the same year as public support dropped, partly due to concerns about children walking to school in the dark. A recent AP-NORC poll found that only 12 percent of American adults favor the current system, while nearly half oppose it.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., has led efforts in the Senate to make the change happen, following a 2018 state law he signed as governor. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., also supports the move, citing impacts on health and the economy. The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine are among the proponents of a single time standard.