Supporters cite possible gains for golf businesses, while opponents warn of risks to children and workers on winter mornings.
Donald Trump has renewed his call for the United States to keep daylight saving time year-round. He says darkness is depressing, changing clocks causes confusion and brighter evenings could reduce crime. The Sunshine Protection Act passed the House but remains stalled in the Senate amid opposition from some lawmakers.
The Hill reported that golf businesses could also benefit. PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp wrote to Trump that an extra hour of evening light could generate 23 million additional rounds and $1 billion in annual revenue for the industry. Most members of the National Golf Course Owners Association support permanent daylight saving time. Its president, Jay Karen, said courses could stay open longer, although some northern clubs close in winter regardless.
Opponents warn that shifting daylight from morning to evening could delay sunrise in some northern cities until between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., or later. Millions of children might travel to school or wait for buses in darkness, raising traffic risks. Early-shift workers would also commute before dawn. Some experts and psychologists say starting the day in darkness could harm health.
Trump attacked Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, an opponent of the bill, in a Truth Social post that included Cotton’s phone number and urged residents to call him. A separate Daylight Act proposal would shift clocks by 30 minutes rather than a full hour on 1 November. Arizona, Hawaii and several US territories use standard time year-round.