Trump Wants People to 'Stop Worrying About the Clock'

President Trump says he's ready to help put an end to the nation's twice-a-year clock ritual, if Congress will just send him the bill.

• On Thursday night, Trump praised House Republicans after the GOP-led Energy and Commerce Committee advanced the Sunshine Protection Act, which would lock in daylight saving time nationwide and stop the "spring forward/fall back" clock changes, per the Washington Post. "It's time that people can stop worrying about the 'Clock,' not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice yearly production," the president wrote on Truth Social, adding that he would "work very hard" to get the measure through.

• The bill would move the country permanently one hour ahead, while allowing states to opt out and stay on standard time. The legislation now heads to the House floor, where its fate is uncertain, and the Senate remains another hurdle.
• Time politics tends to split more by geography than party. Lawmakers from coastal states, including multiple Florida Republicans, argue their constituents want later sunsets. Many from the Midwest, however, say year-round daylight saving time would mean long, dark winter mornings. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a Trump ally, has vowed to "always oppose" permanent daylight saving time and previously claimed credit for blocking it.

• Polling shows broad dislike for the system in place now but no agreement on what should replace it. An AP-NORC survey found that just 12% support the existing clock changes; 56% prefer permanent daylight saving time, while 42% want permanent standard time.
• Democrats and some experts warn that Congress has been here before: A 1970s experiment with year-round daylight saving time was quickly rolled back after public backlash and safety concerns, including reports of children killed in predawn traffic. Medical and sleep specialists such as Vanderbilt neurologist Beth Ann Malow say standard time better aligns with human biology and call it the "healthy choice," or at least a reason to leave the current setup in place.