President-elect Donald Trump recently announced his intention to abolish daylight saving time, describing the biannual clock changes as both “inconvenient” and “costly.” Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated, “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation.” However, it remains unclear whether his focus is on permanently adopting daylight saving time or sticking with standard time year-round.
This issue isn’t new. In 2022, the Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill that proposed making daylight saving time permanent across the U.S. Sponsored by Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), the legislation highlighted the negative health and safety impacts of the clock-switching practice, such as increased heart attacks and car accidents. Despite its bipartisan support in the Senate, the bill stalled in the GOP-controlled House, leaving the matter unresolved. Rubio continues to advocate for the change, stating this October, “It’s time to lock the clock and stop enduring the ridiculous and antiquated practice of switching our clocks back and forth.”
Opponents of the initiative raise concerns about potential drawbacks. A key issue is the prolonged darkness during early morning hours, which could pose safety risks for schoolchildren and create challenges for shift workers. Critics also point to a failed experiment in the 1970s when the U.S. attempted permanent daylight saving time. The initiative was reversed after one year due to widespread complaints about late sunrises, with some regions experiencing no daylight until 9 a.m.
The political landscape adds another layer of complexity. While Republicans will hold a stronger majority in the Senate next year, their narrow lead in the House may hinder the passage of any controversial legislation, including the elimination of daylight saving time. Even with Trump’s support, the issue is likely to face significant debate and resistance from various stakeholders.
As the conversation continues, the debate over daylight saving time reflects broader questions about how the nation balances tradition, practicality, and public well-being. Whether the U.S. will “lock the clock” for good remains uncertain, but Trump’s pledge has reignited a long-standing discussion on the future of timekeeping in America.