On Tuesday, August 5th, 2026, President Donald Trump urged the Senate to swiftly pass the Sunshine Protection Act, legislation aimed at making daylight saving time (DST) permanent across the United States. This call follows the House of Representatives' overwhelming approval of the bill by a 308-117 vote.

Trump argued that ending the twice-yearly clock changes would enhance public safety, boost the economy, and improve Americans' health. He cited studies suggesting that permanent DST could reduce robbery and murder rates, decrease car accidents—especially those involving pedestrians—and lower risks of cardiac issues, stroke, and seasonal depression. Additionally, Trump noted that it would make it safer for children to walk home from school, increase family time, support extracurricular activities, and benefit industries such as sports, fitness, tourism, retail, and restaurants. Energy savings were also mentioned due to the extra hour of daylight in the evenings.

Despite bipartisan support in the House, the bill has yet to be taken up by the Senate, where its future remains uncertain amid skepticism from some lawmakers. Trump specifically urged Republican senators to release holds on the bill, emphasizing the potential to cut crime and accidents.

He also highlighted the costs associated with the current system, stating, "For cities and states with watchtowers, and hard to reach places, it costs millions of dollars." Trump remarked that for many years, the majority of Americans have wanted permanent DST, but no administration had succeeded until now.

While 56% of Americans favor year-round daylight saving time, some, including Fox News Contributor Donna Rotunno, have expressed concerns about permanently darker mornings, particularly for early risers. Currently, nearly every state sets clocks forward one hour in March and back one hour in November, though many have passed legislation to adopt permanent DST pending Congressional approval.

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