In a dramatic twist on Capitol Hill, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ala.) has once again halted efforts to make daylight saving time permanent, despite former President Donald Trump’s endorsement and growing bipartisan support. The proposed legislation, aimed at ending the biannual clock change ritual, was blocked by Cotton on Tuesday, citing concerns over extended morning darkness impacting children and workers.

The bill, known as the "Sunshine Protection Act," was championed by Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and supported by both Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). Advocates argue that permanent daylight saving time would not only eliminate the inconvenience of adjusting clocks twice a year but also extend daylight in the evenings, potentially benefiting businesses like those in the retail and golf sectors.

However, the opposition, including sleep doctors and certain broadcasters, favors retaining standard time, highlighting potential health risks and disruptions associated with a permanent shift to daylight saving time.

Senator Cotton, reflecting on his failure to block similar legislation in 2022, was prepared this time, expressing his staunch opposition. “If permanent Daylight Savings Time becomes the law of the land, it will again make winter a dark and dismal time for millions of Americans,” Cotton stated during the Senate floor session. He emphasized the detrimental effects especially on school children in Arkansas, who would experience sunrise well after 8:00 AM in winter months.

The issue has sparked an intense lobbying battle, with significant stakes for various industries. President Trump weighed in earlier this spring, decrying the biannual clock change as a costly and outdated practice. His support gave new momentum to the legislative effort, which had seen progress in the Senate Commerce Committee.

Despite this, the hope for passing the bill by unanimous consent—a method reserved for noncontroversial legislation—was quashed by Cotton’s intervention. The senator referenced the “abject failure” of a similar attempt to enact permanent daylight saving time in 1974, vowing to always stand against such measures.

The debate over daylight saving time continues to divide opinion, with strong arguments on both sides concerning public health, economic impact, and personal convenience. As for now, Americans will need to keep their clocks ready for adjustment, as the issue remains unresolved in the Senate.