WASHINGTON D.C., (WTVB) – — With less than a month remaining before Americans are scheduled to “fall back” to standard time on November 1, the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act remains stalled in the U.S. Senate.
The legislation, which would establish permanent daylight saving time nationwide and eliminate the twice-yearly tradition of changing the clocks, passed the House of Representatives with an overwhelming 308–117 vote in July.
However, the bill’s momentum slowed significantly when the Senate recently adjourned for the midterm elections without taking action.
Lawmakers are not scheduled to return to Washington until November 9, leaving the bill in legislative limbo until well after the impending seasonal time change.
The gridlock has triggered a sharp public debate among high-profile figures and lawmakers. President Donald Trump has heavily championed the bill, taking to Truth Social to urge action on what he calls the “No More Changing of Clocks Act”, arguing that permanent daylight saving time reduces crime, boosts businesses, and benefits public health.
Despite presidential pressure, the measure faces strong resistance within the Senate chamber. Critics, led by Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), argue that locking the country into daylight saving time would create dangerously dark winter mornings for commuting workers and children waiting for school buses.
Additionally, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has cast doubt on whether the bill can secure the 60 votes required to advance, signaling that a permanent solution to the biannual clock change is unlikely to arrive anytime soon.
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