Trump Blasts Senate Over Sunshine Protection Act
President Donald Trump criticized Senate inaction on a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent year-round.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Current Conditions
Live Poll
Should the U.S. make daylight saving time permanent year-round?
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social criticizing the Senate for failing to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, which the House passed in July 2026 by a 308-117 vote. The bill would make daylight saving time permanent year-round and has stalled in the Senate.
Why it matters
The measure has passed the House but remains blocked in the Senate, leaving the clock-change question unresolved at the national level. Trump's Wednesday post followed Republican losses of control of both chambers in the midterm elections.
The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act 308-117 in July 2026, while Trump's October post targeting the measure ran 315 words and reached his 13 million Truth Social followers. It remains unclear when the Senate will act on the bill.
The players
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States, who has repeatedly pushed for an end to the clock changes and publicly pressured Senate Republicans on the Sunshine Protection Act.
Tom Cotton
Tom Cotton is the Republican senator from Arkansas, who was re-elected on Tuesday with 54.3 percent of the vote and whom Trump has accused of blocking the legislation.
The details
Trump posted the cellphone number of Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton on Truth Social in October, and on Wednesday he criticized Senate inaction without naming Cotton. Trump said he did not publicize the issue before the election to avoid costing certain senators their races, and he said he will keep fighting for the Act.
Timeline
July 2026: The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act 308-117.
October 2026: Trump posted Cotton's cellphone number and a 315-word message about the Act.
Sunday, November 1, 2026: Clocks went back one hour as daylight saving time ended.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Midterm elections were held; Cotton was re-elected with 54.3 percent of the vote.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Trump posted his complaint about Senate inaction.
Seasonal Patterns
The Sunshine Protection Act, passed by the House in July 2026 but stalled in the Senate, would end the twice-yearly clock change that the country experienced again on November 1. The dispute places the measure squarely within the national debate over whether to keep or eliminate daylight saving time.
Clocks have already changed for the season, so no immediate action is needed. The bill's Senate outcome will determine whether future clock changes continue.
The takeaway
The House has approved ending the twice-yearly clock change, but the bill's fate now depends on the Senate. Readers should watch for any Senate scheduling action on the Sunshine Protection Act.
Further reading
For broader context on clock changes and daylight, browse Current Conditions coverage.
Live Poll
Should the U.S. make daylight saving time permanent year-round?
