President Donald Trump is urging Congress to approve legislation that would eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes many Americans consider inconvenient. However, the effort faces significant obstacles in the Senate, where opposition is driven less by party politics and more by regional differences.<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives recently passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill that would allow states to voluntarily adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time. However, the legislation has struggled to gain momentum in the Senate.<\/p>\n
The debate has largely divided the country along geographic lines, with northern states and southern states often taking different positions on whether the nation should maintain year-round Daylight Saving Time.<\/p>\n
“That is an issue in which there are passionate views on both sides,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said when asked whether the Senate would take up the legislation.<\/p>\n
Thune added that the Senate would assess the level of support for the proposal following House approval, but acknowledged that some lawmakers could attempt to delay the bill because of strong disagreements over the issue.<\/p>\n
Supporters of permanent Daylight Saving Time argue that keeping clocks forward would provide more daylight during evening hours and reduce the disruption caused by changing clocks twice a year. Opponents, however, warn that it could leave children traveling to school during darker morning hours, particularly in northern states.<\/p>\n
One of the strongest critics of the proposal is Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., a close ally of Trump in Congress. Cotton has previously said he would “always oppose” efforts to establish permanent Daylight Saving Time.<\/p>\n
A source familiar with Cotton’s views told Fox News Digital that he is not alone in opposing the measure. The source also pointed out that the bill would effectively favor states that have already approved permanent standard time before the Sunshine Protection Act could take effect.<\/p>\n
Currently, Hawaii and Arizona are the only states that observe permanent standard time under state law, while no state has adopted permanent Daylight Saving Time.<\/p>\n
This is not the first time Congress has attempted to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Lawmakers introduced year-round Daylight Saving Time during the 1970s, but public support quickly declined. The policy was reversed after about a year, largely because of concerns from parents whose children had to travel to school in darkness.<\/p>\n
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said he opposes permanent Daylight Saving Time because it would force many children in his state to begin school days in the dark for much of the year.<\/p>\n
Supporters of the legislation, however, argue that modern life no longer requires the traditional clock changes.<\/p>\n
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who introduced the Sunshine Protection Act with then-Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said the issue is not about political ideology but personal preference and that the divide often follows geographic boundaries.<\/p>\n
Lankford acknowledged concerns from parents but argued that the original reasons for changing clocks\u2014such as conserving lamp oil during wartime\u2014are outdated.<\/p>\n
“This is left over from World War I when America was trying to save lamp oil,” Lankford said, arguing that modern technology, including widespread street lighting and improved energy systems, has changed the circumstances surrounding the debate.<\/p>\n
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who introduced the legislation last year, celebrated the House vote and said permanent Daylight Saving Time remains highly popular among many Florida residents.<\/p>\n
Scott also recognized that northern states have raised concerns but argued that the bill should allow individual states to decide whether to adopt the change.<\/p>\n
“Give me the chance \u2014 in my state, the ability, we want to do it,” Scott said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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