Trump Backs Permanent Daylight Saving Time as Senate Debate Continues

• by Shimanta Das
• October 7, 2026

President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind making daylight saving time permanent, a position he has held consistently since spring 2025. In a May 2026 Truth Social post, Trump highlighted the exorbitant cost of clock switching, stating, “Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are spent every year by people, Cities, and States, being forced to change their Clocks.” He also emphasized that “the vast Majority of Americans have asked to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but no Administration has been able to get it properly done, until now.” Trump’s push comes as the Senate continues to debate the issue, with the House having already passed a bill a month ago to make daylight saving time permanent by a strong bipartisan vote of 308 to 117.

Senator Edward Markey has been a long-time advocate for permanent daylight saving time, pushing legislation since the 1980s. However, lawmakers remain divided over whether to stick with standard time or daylight saving time year-round. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) recently commented on the prospects of the House bill, saying, “Remains to be seen” when asked if it could muster 60 votes. One key point often omitted from coverage is that the Senate just adjourned and isn’t set to return to Washington until after the midterms, delaying any immediate action.

Trump also took aim at Senator Tom Cotton, who has opposed the measure. In a sharp response, Trump said, “If Tom Cotton were putting Arkansas first, he would give them an extra hour of daylight and, more importantly, they wouldn’t have to run all over their houses, farms, work places, and everywhere else, twice a year, having to change their Clocks, and often forgetting to do so.” This highlights the practical frustrations many Americans face with the biannual time change. While Trump’s stance aligns with public sentiment, the legislative path forward remains uncertain, with the Senate yet to act and time running short before the midterms.