Trump Pushes Senate to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

The House of Representatives approved the Sunshine Protection Act by a vote of 308-117 in mid-July. The bill would make daylight-saving time (DST) the year-round standard, eliminating the twice-annual clock change. Under current federal law, states may adopt permanent standard time without congressional approval, but a shift to permanent DST requires an act of Congress. An earlier version of the legislation cleared the Senate unanimously in March 2022 before stalling in the House over whether to adopt permanent DST or permanent standard time. The proposal echoes a 1973 effort that briefly instituted year-round DST during an energy crisis.

TND - The National Desk

Empirical studies offer mixed evidence on the effects of DST on public safety. A 2015 analysis in *The Review of Economics and Statistics* reported that robberies rise 7 % across the day when clocks are set back in the fall, with a 27 % increase during the hours after sunset. A 2012 Stanford working paper observed a decline in evening murders following the spring clock change, but the authors noted the result was not statistically significant. A 2024 study in *Lighting Research & Technology* found no significant link between additional evening light and homicide rates, while confirming a stronger association between extra light and reduced robberies.

The Independent

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), the Senate sponsor of the bill, echoed the president’s message, stating that Americans want “more sunshine, not less.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has expressed uncertainty about securing the 60 votes needed for passage. The Senate’s consideration of the bill is pending a return from recess.

TND - The National Desk

The research cited presents divergent conclusions: some studies suggest evening daylight may curb robberies, while others find no measurable impact on homicide rates. No consensus exists on whether permanent DST would produce net public-health benefits, and the evidence base does not address potential adverse effects of darker winter mornings.

Newsweek

• “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 properly done, until now,” — Donald Trump, privacy notice president

Newsweek

• “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 properly done, until now. I am proud to announce that the House of Representatives has passed the Bill, and it has now gone to the Senate for final approval,” — Donald Trump, privacy notice president

The Independent

• “People are sick and tired of having to change their clocks twice a year,” — Donald Trump, privacy notice president

NewsNation

• “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 when the sunrise in Western Montana wouldn’t be until 9:30 in the morning,” — Sen. Steve Daines

NewsNation