WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on August 13, 2026, calling for the Senate to pass the Sunshine Protection Act. The legislation would make Daylight Saving Time permanent year-round across the United States.

The House of Representatives passed the bill in July with a vote of 308-117. Federal law currently prohibits states from observing permanent Daylight Saving Time, creating a legislative barrier that the act seeks to remove.

"People are sick and tired of having to change their clocks twice a year. It is foolish, inconvenient and, in some cases, very costly," Trump said in his post. He stated, "This is an issue that Republicans, Dumocrats, and Independents can unite behind."

Trump directed his appeal specifically at members of his own party. "I am asking Republican Senators to PASS THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT, ASAP," he wrote.

The bill faces opposition regarding safety concerns during winter months. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas publicly objected to permanent Daylight Saving Time in a Senate floor speech in October 2025. Cotton stated that permanent Daylight Saving Time would result in sunrises after 8 or 8:30 a.m. in the winter in Arkansas.

"In January of 1974, millions of Americans traveled to work and school in darkness. Commuter trains were delayed. Schoolchildren carried flashlights. Tragically, some of these kids were struck by cars and killed while walking to school in the dark," Cotton said.

The United States observed permanent Daylight Saving Time in 1974 before repealing the change less than a year later. Medical experts also raised health concerns about the proposed change. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine stated that "Permanent daylight saving time would cause misalignment with human circadian rhythms, which are crucial for regulating sleep, mood, and overall well-being." The organization added that "This biological misalignment would lead to chronic sleep deprivation and other health complications."

"It would also raise public safety concerns by increasing the risk of traffic accidents and pedestrian deaths, particularly for children waiting for school buses and walking to school in the dark," the American Academy of Sleep Medicine said. Solar data indicates that under permanent Daylight Saving Time, the sunrise in New York City on January 15 would shift from 7:18 a.m. to 8:17 a.m. The sunset in New York City on that date would occur just before 6 p.m. instead of around 5 p.m.

The impact would be more severe in northern latitudes. Under permanent Daylight Saving Time, residents of Juneau, Alaska, would experience winter sunrises as late as 11 a.m. local time. Winter sunsets in Juneau would occur at around 4:40 p.m. local time.

The Sunshine Protection Act allows states to opt out of permanent Daylight Saving Time. Hawaii and most of Arizona currently observe Standard Time year-round. Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida sponsored the Senate version of the Sunshine Protection Act. The House version was sponsored by Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], and was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation after being received in the Senate.

The U.S. Senate voted by unanimous consent in favor of permanent Daylight Saving Time in 2022. However, the chamber is currently in recess until September 14, 2026, delaying any immediate vote on the measure.

Why It Matters

The push for permanent Daylight Saving Time represents a renewed effort to alter the national timekeeping system, a change that affects daily routines, energy consumption, and public safety across all 50 states. The legislative history shows fluctuating support, with unanimous Senate consent in 2022 followed by a decisive House passage in 2026, yet federal prohibitions remain in place.

The debate centers on conflicting data regarding health and safety outcomes. While proponents cite potential reductions in crime and energy costs, opponents point to historical precedents from 1974 and medical warnings about circadian rhythm disruption. The outcome will determine whether states can maintain standard time or must align with a permanent daylight schedule, with specific provisions allowing for regional opt-outs.

Timeline

A Sunshine Act Meeting and Open Commission Meeting took place on Monday, April 28, 2025, where the Commission considered a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding spectrum sharing. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas publicly objected to permanent Daylight Saving Time in a Senate floor speech in October 2025. During that same period, he stated that permanent Daylight Saving Time would result in sunrises after 8 or 8:30 a.m. in the winter in Arkansas, noting that in January of 1974, millions of Americans traveled to work and school in darkness and some children were struck by cars. The Executive Office of the President published a presidential document titled Adjusting Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients Into the United States on April 9, 2026.

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 was sponsored by Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], with its latest action being receipt in the Senate and referral to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. PureSource News previously reported that the U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act by a vote of 308–117 for permanent time. President Donald he stated that leading medical, crime, and economic studies show permanent Daylight Saving Time will help decrease robbery and murder rates, reduce car accidents, lower risk for cardiac issues, stroke, and seasonal depression, and save money on energy bills.

PureSource News reported on 2026-06-24 that the Senate was scheduled to pass the Housing Act. The Executive Office of the President published a presidential document titled Adjusting Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients Into the United States on 2026-04-09. PureSource News also previously reported that the House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act. The Labor Department published a rule titled Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States on 2024-04-29.