Trump urges Senate to pass permanent daylight saving time, blames Tom Cotton for delay

US President Donald Trump has blamed Republican Senator Tom Cotton for holding up a plan to make daylight saving time permanent, urging the Senate to act on legislation that would end the twice-yearly clock change.Trump, in a post on Truth Social early Friday, accused Cotton of blocking the measure “for reasons unknown” and said Americans were “sick and tired” of changing their clocks twice a year. The House passed the bill, known as the Sunshine Protection Act, by a 308-117 vote in July.The push has stalled in the Senate, which adjourned this week and is not expected to return until after the November 3 midterm elections.Reuters reported that Republican Senator John Kennedy said the proposal's prospects were poor, while Republican Senator Rick Scott, a key sponsor, remained confident that it could eventually pass.If approved, the legislation would keep daylight saving time year-round, giving Americans an extra hour of evening daylight in winter. Under the current system, clocks are set back on November 1.Cotton has opposed making daylight saving time permanent, arguing that it would leave winter mornings darker for children going to school and people heading to work. He has also cited concerns for farmers, construction workers and others who begin their day before sunrise.“Many Americans would be forced to start their day in darkness,” Cotton has argued, saying permanent daylight saving time would push winter sunrises later in parts of the country.Supporters of the bill argue that ending the twice-yearly clock change would reduce disruptions linked to changing clocks and provide more daylight during evening hours. Trump has also claimed it could benefit public safety, health, sports and businesses.The US previously experimented with year-round daylight saving time in 1974 as part of an effort to conserve energy. The policy was unpopular and was repealed later that year.For now, the Senate's schedule means the US will continue with its existing system, including the November 1 switch back to standard time. The legislation, if eventually enacted, would end the clock changes from 2027.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.