WASHINGTON – US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Dec 13 that the Republican Party will push to eliminate daylight saving time (DST), a system he labeled “inconvenient and very costly to our nation.”
“The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t!” Trump stated on social media, signaling a shift in the long-running debate over the practice of changing clocks twice a year.
Daylight saving time, introduced nationwide in the 1960s to maximize daylight during summer evenings, has sparked contentious debate in recent years.
A Divisive Issue
Lawmakers remain divided on the future of DST. Some advocate for sticking to standard time year-round, others prefer permanent DST, and many support retaining the current system. In March 2022, the Senate unanimously passed a bill to make DST permanent, but the proposal stalled in the House due to disagreements.
Supporters of permanent DST argue that brighter evenings during the winter months could boost economic activity, while critics point to safety concerns, such as children commuting to school in the dark. Conversely, advocates for abolishing DST entirely highlight the health and sleep disturbances caused by the biannual clock changes.
Congress has not revisited the issue for more than two years, and a new Senate vote would be required to resume discussions.
Historical Context and State Action
The United States briefly experimented with year-round DST during World War II and again in 1973 during an oil embargo, but the practice was unpopular and quickly repealed.
Since 2015, about 30 states have proposed or passed legislation to end clock changes, with some seeking regional cooperation before taking action.
President Joe Biden has remained neutral on the topic, while Trump’s remarks signal the potential for renewed efforts to change the longstanding system. Whether lawmakers and states can reach a consensus remains to be seen.