Senate blocks permanent daylight saving time

President Donald Trump is at odds with the Senate leadership over a bill that would make daylight saving time the permanent national standard. The House passed the measure, but the Senate is unlikely to act before the end of the year. This delay defies the president's direct requests and frustrates Americans who want to stop changing their clocks.

As clocks are turned back an hour this Sunday, a coalition of senators is stalling the legislation. The bill would eliminate the current practice of shifting time twice a year. Supporters argue the change provides more daylight during active afternoon hours. Opponents counter that commuters in northern states would face sunrises after 9 a.m.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is the most vocal critic. He is a member of the Republican leadership and has blocked the measure. Cotton noted that Congress has tried this before and reversed course when citizens complained about dark mornings. "No one likes changing the clock, me included, but Congress has enacted permanent Daylight Savings Time multiple times before and repealed it each time once Americans experienced absurdly late sunrises in the winter," Cotton said.

Trump attacked Cotton earlier this month on social media. The president posted his personal cell number and demanded that Cotton "GET IT DONE!" This public feud did not break the deadlock. Several other Republicans, particularly from northern states, have joined the opposition to the bill.

Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., cited the impact on families. "You'd be sending kids to school in the dark," Rounds said. He joins a group of senators who believe the timing is poor for a vote. The Senate returns to Washington after the Nov. 3 midterm election, leaving little time for floor action.

Trump has pushed the issue aggressively, arguing that afternoon light is superior. He claimed that "CRIMINALS DON'T LIKE WORKING IN THE LIGHT" in a social media post. He also highlighted the inconvenience of manual clock adjustments, despite the prevalence of digital devices. The president, an avid golfer, suggested the change would give him more time to play.

Senate Republicans have indicated the bill is not a priority. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., described the House bill as a "non-starter" for his party's leadership. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio., was more direct when asked about the bill's prospects. "No way," Moreno said. Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has not spoken publicly on the current version but has voted against similar bills in the past.

The current system has low public support. An AP-NORC poll last year found that only 12% of American adults favored the existing two-time system. Nearly half opposed it. Professional groups such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine back a single time standard. Florida Sen. Rick Scott has led efforts in the Senate to pass the measure. "I hear from Americans constantly that they are sick and tired of changing their clocks twice a year," Scott said.

The 1973 experiment with permanent daylight saving time serves as a cautionary tale. Congress passed the law during an energy crisis but repealed it by October of that year. Public support dropped sharply due to complaints about dark mornings for children. More than 50 years later, many Americans have forgotten that trial, yet the debate continues. Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts supports the change, calling the current ritual a burden on the economy and health.