Trump has made clear where he stands.
The president praised the legislation after it advanced through committee, arguing that the current system creates unnecessary costs and inconvenience for governments, businesses, and ordinary citizens.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump highlighted what he believes is a major but often overlooked expense associated with the biannual time changes.
“This is so important in that Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are spent every year by people, Cities, and States, being forced to change their Clocks. Many of these Clocks are located in Towers, and the cost of renting, or using, Heavy Equipment to do this twice a year is prohibitive!” Trump posted.
Trump also vowed to push aggressively for the bill’s passage, framing the issue as a common-sense reform that would eliminate a long-standing annoyance affecting Americans nationwide.
“I am going to work very hard to see The Sunshine Protection Act signed into Law. It’s time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice yearly production,” he posted.
The president further argued that keeping Daylight Saving Time in place throughout the year would provide benefits extending beyond convenience.
“a longer, brighter Day — And who can be against that.”
Supporters of the legislation say permanent Daylight Saving Time would encourage outdoor recreation, reduce certain types of crime, improve road safety, and provide economic benefits by extending evening daylight hours.
One of the bill’s leading advocates in Congress, Florida Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan, has argued that the change could produce meaningful quality-of-life improvements for Americans while eliminating the disruption caused by moving clocks forward and backward each year.
The push comes after a previous attempt nearly succeeded. In 2022, the Senate approved a similar measure with bipartisan support. However, the legislation stalled in the House before it could reach the president’s desk.
This time around, the path forward may prove more complicated.
Some lawmakers remain skeptical of permanent Daylight Saving Time, warning that the policy could create significant challenges during the winter months, particularly for students and families.
Among the most vocal critics is Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who has expressed concerns about dramatically later sunrises during parts of the year.
Cotton warned that the proposal would “push winter sunrises to an absurdly late hour” and argued that “kids would either walk to school in the pitch black or schools would have to push back start times.”
The opposition is not limited to Capitol Hill.
Medical and sleep experts have increasingly advocated for a different solution—making Standard Time permanent rather than extending Daylight Saving Time year-round.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has repeatedly argued that permanent Standard Time better aligns with the body’s natural biological rhythms. According to the organization, exposure to morning sunlight plays a critical role in regulating sleep patterns, alertness, and overall health.
The group maintains that the nation’s time policy should prioritize health and safety, particularly for students who depend on consistent sleep schedules and early morning alertness.
The organization stated that permanent Standard Time would “help protect the health, safety, and well-being of individuals across the country.”
It further argued that “The nation’s time policy should support healthy sleep, safer mornings, and better learning conditions for students.”
The academy also contends that ending seasonal clock changes should not automatically mean adopting permanent Daylight Saving Time. Instead, it believes lawmakers should choose Standard Time as the nation’s year-round setting.
According to the organization, “Permanent standard time is the healthier choice for all Americans.”
As Congress prepares to revisit the issue, Americans may soon see a serious national debate over whether the country should finally abandon the clock-changing ritual that has existed for generations.
With Trump publicly championing the Sunshine Protection Act and supporters pushing for a final vote, the question is no longer whether the issue will receive attention in Washington. The real battle now centers on which version of time Americans will ultimately live by—and whether lawmakers are finally ready to make a permanent change.
