Senator Tom Cotton leads opposition to a House bill that would establish year-round Daylight Saving Time across the United States.
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas is leading a vocal opposition to a bipartisan House bill that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. While the House voted strongly in favor of the measure, the bill faces significant hurdles in the Senate. Cotton has vowed to block any attempts to pass the legislation quickly through unanimous consent, a process requiring all 100 senators to agree. Opponents of the bill, including Senator Steve Daines of Montana, argue that a later sunrise could endanger children and workers who must commute in the dark. While Senator Rick Scott of Florida is actively pushing for the bill's passage, Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota remains cautious. Thune noted that the House bill provides optionality for states to maintain permanent standard time, which may help secure the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster. Despite the House's enthusiasm, the Senate must still determine if the measure can overcome the concerns of those who prefer the current seasonal shift.