Permanent daylight saving time: Why this Republican senator disagrees with it, despite Trump’s support

Addy Bink Mon, October 5, 2026 at 8:40 PM UTC

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(NEXSTAR) – “It’s said that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

That’s a line you’ve likely heard in reference to any number of events, from the mundane to the tales recounted in your history books. In this case, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) would point to an Oct. 2025 floor speech in response to an effort to fast-track the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent in the U.S.

Cotton noted his own opposition to changing the clocks twice a year, contending that “there’s not much to be done” regarding it “unless we’re willing to adopt permanent standard time.”

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“Not every human problem has a legislative solution,” he added.

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Despite his remarks (and history), a version of the Sunshine Protection Act found its way to the Senate again this year. The House passed the bill in July on a 308-117 vote, and President Trump said it would be "a very nice WIN for the Republican Party. Take it!"

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., speaks before Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Reading, Pa. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

The bill, however, faces a dim future in the Senate. Several Republican lawmakers have expressed opposition to it, including Cotton. The chamber has also adjourned until after the midterm election and the end of daylight saving time, which means our clocks will most likely “fall back” as usual in a few weeks.

If you’re bummed by that, you aren’t alone. Trump recently lashed out at Cotton for “holding up a very important Bill,” the Sunshine Protection Act. He shared Cotton’s cellphone number, urging Arkansas residents to call their senator and tell him “it would be a GREAT Bipartisan WIN.”

In a post to X, Cotton reiterated his stance that “no one likes changing the clock, me included” and again referred to previous efforts by the U.S. to observe permanent daylight saving time. As he did in his floor speech last year, Cotton pointed to a specific group of Americans who could be most impacted by permanent daylight saving time.

Nexstar contacted Cotton's office for comment and was directed to his X post.

What would change under permanent daylight saving time?

The winter sun would set an hour later than it currently does, and, in turn, rise an hour later than we’re used to, sometimes well after 8 a.m.

In Fayetteville, Arkansas, for example, there would be nearly 90 days between November and March in which the sun would not rise until after 8 a.m. Further north, in, say, Grand Rapids, Michigan, there would be more than 140 sunrises after 8 a.m., and another 55 after 9 a.m.

Why permanent daylight saving time has failed in the US before

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The interactive table below shows how many winter days would see sunrises after 8 a.m. (or 9 a.m., in some cases), under permanent daylight saving time.

Why permanent daylight saving time has failed before

While it has its supporters, permanent daylight saving time has never stuck around for long in the U.S.

As Cotton noted, part of the reason it was quickly repealed in the early 1970s was because of a decline in public support. Reporting from the time suggests parents may have been among the loudest opponents.

How often the sun would rise after 8 a.m. under permanent daylight saving time

They found themselves sending their children off to school in morning darkness, some armed with flashlights, prompting safety concerns. There were multiple incidents nationwide of children being struck by vehicles while on their way to school, including eight fatalities in Florida.

The U.S. Department of Transportation would find no clear evidence regarding traffic accidents in relation to permanent daylight saving time, but the nation returned to seasonal time change roughly a year after locking the clocks.

Permanent daylight saving time may be bad for our health

In addition to the safety risks, Cotton has previously said that locking the clocks on year-round daylight saving time may not be good for our health.

Permanent daylight saving time? Schools and students would suffer, experts say

Health experts largely agree that permanent daylight saving time would disrupt our sleep and circadian rhythm, which could have even greater impacts throughout our lives. Studies have found links to poor student performance, for example, as well as mental health issues, delinquent behaviors, and even employment salaries.

What’s next for daylight saving time?

It’s difficult to say.

The Senate could still pass the Sunshine Protection Act when they return in mid-November, though Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) had previously cast doubt on its ability to reach the required 60-vote threshold needed to pass. Plus, the current Congress is only expected to remain in session through about mid- to late December.

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Congress is also considering two bills in the House that would give states the option to observe year-round daylight saving time, a bill to make half-daylight saving time permanent and a newly introduced bill to make standard time permanent, with exceptions.

For now, though, our clocks appear likely to "fall back" to standard time in the early morning hours of Nov. 1.

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