Trump Calls Out Tom Cotton Over Delay on Permanent Daylight Saving Time Bill

Jimmy ParkerOctober 2, 20264

Trump Puts Cotton on the Clock

President Trump is putting pressure on Senate Republicans over the Sunshine Protection Act and is naming Sen. Tom Cotton as the Republican he says is responsible for the delay. In an early Friday Truth Social post, Trump urged the Senate to act on what he calls the No More Changing of Clocks Act. He publicly identified Cotton, of Arkansas, as holding up the bill. Trump argued that the measure could move quickly if the Senate simply brought it up for a vote. According to the report, Cotton has become the main bottleneck in the chamber. Washington has somehow turned a clock on the wall into a Senate traffic jam, and Trump is making sure voters know who he believes is responsible.

Cotton’s Objection Is Winter Sunlight

According to NewsNation, Cotton argued during Senate floor debate that permanent Daylight Saving Time could create what he called “absurdly late” winter sunrises. That is the central disagreement. The Sunshine Protection Act would keep the current daylight saving schedule in place all year instead of switching back to standard time each fall. Trump and supporters of the bill prefer an extra hour of sunlight in the evening, while Cotton’s objection focuses on what people would face during winter mornings. The issue may sound simple, but sunrise and sunset schedules affect school commutes, work routines, sports, and daily family life. For once, Congress is debating something many Americans have personally cursed at twice a year.

The House Has Already Passed the Measure

The House passed the Trump-backed bill by a vote of 308-117 on July 14, 2026. Trump described the vote as having strong bipartisan support, with Democrats and Republicans backing the effort to end the twice-yearly clock change. Trump described Senate passage as another possible bipartisan victory and said the public is tired of adjusting clocks every spring and fall. The House vote does not put the policy into effect, however. The proposal remains awaiting action in the Senate, where Cotton’s stated concern over winter sunrises is now at the center of the dispute. Trump’s criticism makes the disagreement unusually public for a bill that had already cleared the House by a wide margin.

Trump Says the Stakes Go Beyond Convenience

Trump’s argument reaches well beyond the annoyance of changing clocks. In his statement, he cited studies that he said connect permanent evening daylight with lower robbery and murder rates, fewer vehicle accidents, especially those involving pedestrians, and lower risks of cardiac problems, stroke, and seasonal depression. He also said the change could make it safer for children walking home from school, give families more time together, and support sports, fitness, tourism, retail, and restaurants. Trump mentioned PGA Commissioner Brian Rolapp, saying winter golf tournaments can run out of sunlight under the current system. He also said farmers, energy customers, and cities and states with watchtowers or hard-to-reach locations could benefit from ending the clock changes. Those claims are now part of Trump’s public case for pressing the Senate to act.