Trump Pressures GOP Senators to End Clock Changing and Target Sunshine Protection Act

United States President Donald Trump has increased the pressure on US Senate Republicans to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, singling out one of the body’s members for stalling legislation to end the twice-a-year changing of clocks.

In a social media post on Saturday, Donald Trump blasted US Senator Tom Cotton for “holding up” the Sunshine Protection Act, which Donald Trump has personally opted to call the “No More Changing of Clocks Act”. “For some reason, Tom is stopping the Bill and, in the Senate, it’s very easy to do, it only takes one!” Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social account about the Arkansas Republican, adding that it should pass in a bipartisan fashion.

Donald Trump even published what he claimed was Tom Cotton’s phone number as he implored Arkansas residents to pressure him. Al Jazeera called the number listed, but an automated message stated the voicemail box was full, while Tom Cotton’s spokesperson and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.

The push follows a 308-117 vote in the US House in July approving the bill. Tom Cotton has previously opposed the measure, arguing that workers and children heading to school would begin their days in the dark during the winter. However, Donald Trump disputed that argument, highlighting support from groups such as the North American Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) tour and emphasizing the benefits of afternoon sunshine.

Despite the push, US senators left Washington this week with no set plans to return until after the November 3 midterm elections, and some lawmakers remain skeptical that the legislation will be brought to a vote before polling day.