The Grand Central Terminal Clock is pictured in the Main Concourse inside Grand Central Terminal train station, in Manhattan, in New York, U.S., May 27, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
Trump Pledges to End Daylight Saving Time, Calling It “Costly and Inconvenient”
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Friday that the Republican Party would prioritize efforts to eliminate daylight saving time (DST), calling the practice “inconvenient and very costly to our Nation.” Trump’s remarks, made via social media, spotlight an issue that has long sparked debate among lawmakers and the public.
Daylight Saving Time: A Divisive Topic
Daylight saving time, which involves setting clocks forward by one hour during the summer months to maximize evening daylight, has been observed across most of the United States since the 1960s. However, it has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years.
Opinions on the matter are divided:
- Support for Permanent Daylight Saving Time: Advocates argue that brighter afternoons and evenings could boost economic activity during the winter months.
- Support for Permanent Standard Time: Proponents believe sticking to standard time year-round would eliminate the need for clock changes, which they say disrupt sleep, harm health, and reduce productivity.
- Support for the Status Quo: Others prefer maintaining the current system, which balances summer evening daylight with winter morning light.
Legislative Efforts and Historical Context
In March 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a measure to make daylight saving time permanent. However, the proposal stalled in the House of Representatives due to a lack of consensus. A bipartisan group of senators revived the push in 2023, but no significant progress has been made since Congress last held hearings on the issue over two years ago.
Historically, year-round daylight saving time was adopted during World War II and temporarily reinstated in 1973 to conserve energy during an oil embargo. The policy proved unpopular, with complaints about dark winter mornings, and was repealed a year later.
State-Level Action
Since 2015, around 30 states have introduced or passed legislation to end the biannual clock changes, though many states have conditioned their plans on neighboring states adopting similar measures to avoid confusion.
Challenges Ahead
Changing federal DST policy would require congressional approval. The Senate would need to reintroduce the issue for debate, and the House would have to reconcile competing views on whether to adopt permanent daylight saving time, permanent standard time, or retain the current system.
Trump’s Vision
Trump’s position aligns with those calling for a simplified timekeeping system, echoing concerns about the economic and health implications of clock changes. Whether Congress takes up the matter during his presidency remains to be seen, but his endorsement could reinvigorate the debate around daylight saving time in the United States.
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