Trump urges calls to cellphone of Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton in battle over permanent daylight saving time bill

October 3, 2026 / 2:33 PM EDT / CBS/AP

President Trump on Saturday pressured Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas to support a bill to make daylight saving time permanent, urging Americans to call what appeared to be the personal cellphone number of Cotton, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The Sunshine Protection Act passed the House in July in a 308 to 117 vote. Mr. Trump called the passage of the bill "Great News for America!" at the time.

The bill still faces roadblocks in the Senate, where some Republicans are strongly opposed. Proponents, including the White House, argue that the change would provide more daylight during the times that Americans are most active.

Detractors said permanent daylight saving time would lead to darker and potentially more hazardous winter mornings when children will be waiting for school buses and parents will be driving to work in darkness.

The president has changed his position on the issue throughout the years. Mr. Trump has called both for daylight saving time to be eliminated and for it to be made permanent.

Daylight saving time is the period between spring and fall when clocks in most parts of the United States are set…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/