By — Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/senate-is-skeptical-about-making-daylight-saving-time-permanent-despite-trumps-pressure Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Senate is skeptical about making daylight saving time permanent despite Trump's pressure Politics Oct 29, 2026 6:19 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is unlikely to act before the end of the year on a House-passed bill that would make daylight saving time permanent, defying President Donald Trump and dashing the hopes of Americans who don't like having to change their clocks twice a year. As daylight saving time ends early Sunday and much of the country turns the clocks back an hour, several senators are holding up legislation that would eliminate the longtime U.S. practice. Supporters argue that ending the time change would provide more daylight during the afternoon, when Americans are most active, but opponents say commuters in some states wouldn't see the sun until after 9 a.m. READ MORE: Daylight saving time is coming to an end again. Here's how the time change may impact…
Senate is skeptical about making daylight saving time permanent despite Trump's pressure
In short
Multiple Republican lawmakers, including Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton and South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds, are blocking the proposal despite aggressive social media lobbying from the White House. Critics argue that the late morning winter sunrises make the measure a non-starter for northern states. While supporters point to benefits for recreation and clock-changing safety, the chamber will not vote on the matter before the end of the year.
Key points
- Senate Republican leadership does not intend to hold a vote on the legislation after the…: Senate Republican leadership does not intend to hold a vote on the legislation after the midterm election.
- Lawmakers from northern states are opposing the bill because sunrises would occur after 9…: Lawmakers from northern states are opposing the bill because sunrises would occur after 9 a.m. during the winter.
- Historical attempts by Congress to implement permanent daylight saving time were quickly…: Historical attempts by Congress to implement permanent daylight saving time were quickly repealed following widespread public disapproval.