Trump Praises House Panel For Passing Daylight Savings Time Bill

A House panel moved decisively on Thursday to advance legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent across most of the United States, ending the twice-a-year clock changes that millions of Americans have long viewed as outdated, disruptive and unnecessary.

The committee voted 48-1 to approve the Sunshine Protection Act, a measure led by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). The proposal was included in a larger transportation funding package known as the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act.

President Donald J. Trump praised the panel’s action and made clear he is fully behind the effort to end the biannual clock change once and for all.

“This is so important in that Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are spent every year by people, Cities, and States, being forced to change their Clocks,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Many of these Clocks are located in Towers, and the cost of renting, or using, Heavy Equipment to do this twice a year is prohibitive!”

The President said he is “going to work very hard” to make sure the Sunshine Protection Act reaches his desk and is signed into law.

“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,” he wrote.

“It will also be a very nice WIN for the Republican Party. Take it! We are going with the far more popular alternative, Saving Daylight, which gives you a longer, brighter Day — And who can be against that — This is an easy one!” he added.

For years, Americans have questioned why the country continues to follow a clock-changing system that complicates schedules, disrupts families and burdens local governments. Trump has repeatedly urged lawmakers to take action, previously calling on both chambers of Congress to “push hard for more Daylight at the end of the day.”

“Very popular, and most importantly, no more changing of the clocks, a big inconvenience and, for our government, A VERY COSTLY EVENT!!!” he added.

Scott and Buchanan took the lead on the Sunshine Protection Act after Marco Rubio left the Senate to serve as secretary of state in President Trump’s administration.

Buchanan said Wednesday he was “proud” to see the measure included in the broader Motor Vehicle Modernization Act, framing it as a practical reform that would benefit families, workers and communities nationwide.

“Floridians and Americans across the country are tired of the biannual time change, and the evidence is clear that permanent daylight saving time can improve public health, reduce traffic accidents, lower crime and encourage more outdoor activity,” he said in a statement.

“Ending the clock change is a commonsense reform that will improve everyday life for millions of Americans,” he added.

Under the Sunshine Protection Act, states that do not opt out before the law takes effect would permanently follow the time currently observed between March and November under daylight saving time.

Hawaii and most of Arizona would remain exempt because they already observe standard time throughout the year and do not take part in daylight saving time changes.

The legislation now moves forward as Republicans seek to deliver another practical win for Americans who are tired of unnecessary government-imposed routines and want a simpler, more consistent system.

Rubio Signals Movement In Iran Talks, Warns Against Strait Of Hormuz “Tolling System”

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday there has been “a little bit of movement” in back-channel discussions aimed at halting the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

Rubio, however, made clear that any diplomatic opening remains limited and that Washington is keeping other options available if Tehran refuses to act responsibly.

“The latest signs are encouraging, but I’m not popping champagne yet,” Rubio said Friday.

“I don’t want to exaggerate it, but there’s been a little bit of movement, and that’s good,” he said, while stressing he doesn’t “want to be overly optimistic.”

Behind the scenes, Pakistan is once again playing a key role in trying to keep diplomatic discussions alive. Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, described by security sources as a major intermediary between Washington and Tehran, is traveling to Tehran for consultations with Iranian officials.

Rubio’s cautious optimism came with a firm warning over Iran’s reported push to impose what it describes as a “tolling system” in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.

“No one in the world is in favor of the tolling system,” Rubio said. “It can’t happen. It would be unacceptable.”

The warning reflects the Trump administration’s broader posture toward Iran: diplomacy may remain on the table, but American interests, global commerce and the security of key allies will not be held hostage by Tehran’s threats.