Rick Scott backs permanent daylight saving time; Tom Cotton opposes it
Rick Scott and James Lankford support permanent daylight saving time, arguing that it would end clock changes and preserve brighter evenings. Tom Cotton opposes it, citing dark winter mornings and the earlier national experiment.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Cotton's October 2025 floor speech rejects the Sunshine Protection Act and year-round daylight saving time. Scott renewed his support in March 2026, and Lankford did so again on October 30, ahead of the autumn clock change.
The dispute is about which time system to adopt. Ending the twice-yearly clock change does not, by itself, decide between permanent daylight saving time and permanent standard time. Scott and Lankford favor the former; Cotton argues against it.
People in this case
Rick ScottDirectly involved
Tom CottonDirectly involved
James LankfordDirectly involved
Timeline
3 timeline entries on this page. Dates: October 28, 2025 to October 30, 2026
October 2025
Cotton opposes the Sunshine Protection Act in a floor speech
Reaction
Cotton argues against permanent daylight saving time, citing winter mornings and the earlier national experiment.
[01]Tom Cotton
Cotton opposes year-round daylight saving time and cites dark winter mornings and the earlier national experiment.
Tom Cotton floor speech opposing the Sunshine Protection Act · Tom CottonFull speech, especially closing paragraph
March 2026
Scott renews support for permanent daylight saving time
Claim
Scott urges Congress to pass the Sunshine Protection Act and emphasizes brighter evenings for families.
[02]Rick Scott
Scott supports the Sunshine Protection Act and argues that brighter evenings would benefit families.
Rick Scott renews effort to make daylight saving time permanent · Rick ScottStatement attributed to Senator Rick Scott
October 2026
Lankford renews support before the autumn clock change
Reaction
Lankford urges passage of the Sunshine Protection Act and cites the disruption caused by changing clocks.
[03]James Lankford
Lankford supports permanent daylight saving time ahead of the November clock change.
Lankford renews call to lock the clock · James LankfordOpening statement and description of the Sunshine Protection Act
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
The United States should adopt permanent daylight saving time.
Sources (1)
- Rick Scott renews effort to make daylight saving time permanent · Rick ScottStatement attributed to Senator Rick Scott
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
3 responses. Newest first.
James LankfordU.S. senator for OklahomaDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Lankford notes that clocks fall back Sunday and that alarm clocks change.
"Babies’ clocks don’t. Every mom and dad of young kids knows it. Time to stop the twice-a-year reset. Lock the clock."
Defended or excusedCase context: Rick Scott backs permanent daylight saving time; Tom Cotton opposes it
Full statement and sources
Lankford calls for ending seasonal clock changes and supports the Sunshine Protection Act.
After the statement
The release describes his support for the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent.
Lankford renews call to lock the clock · James LankfordOpening statement and description of the Sunshine Protection ActWhy this label?
Relative to adopting permanent daylight saving time, Lankford supports the Sunshine Protection Act and cites disruption to young children from seasonal clock changes.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Rick ScottU.S. senator for FloridaDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Scott argues that extra evening daylight gives families more time outdoors and cites support from Trump and bipartisan colleagues.
"Together, we can finally LOCK THE CLOCK and make Daylight Saving Time permanent so that families can enjoy brighter evenings all year long."
Defended or excusedCase context: Rick Scott backs permanent daylight saving time; Tom Cotton opposes it
Full statement and sources
Scott supports permanent daylight saving time and emphasizes brighter evenings.
After the statement
The quotation closes his statement.
Rick Scott renews effort to make daylight saving time permanent · Rick ScottStatement attributed to Senator Rick ScottWhy this label?
Scott supports the policy at issue.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Tom CottonU.S. senator for ArkansasDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Cotton reviews the earlier experiment with year-round daylight saving time and arguments about safety.
"I therefore oppose the Sunshine Protection Act and will always oppose any effort to adopt Daylight Savings Time year-round."
CondemnedCase context: Rick Scott backs permanent daylight saving time; Tom Cotton opposes it
Full statement and sources
Cotton opposes permanent daylight saving time, citing dark winter mornings and the experience of the 1970s.
After the statement
The quotation is the closing sentence of the speech.
Tom Cotton floor speech opposing the Sunshine Protection Act · Tom CottonFull speech, especially closing paragraphWhy this label?
Cotton explicitly rejects the proposed year-round system.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(3)
Official statement
Rick Scott renews effort to make daylight saving time permanent
Relevant passage: Statement attributed to Senator Rick Scott
About this source
Scott supports the Sunshine Protection Act and argues that brighter evenings would benefit families.
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Lankford renews call to lock the clock
Relevant passage: Opening statement and description of the Sunshine Protection Act
About this source
Lankford supports permanent daylight saving time ahead of the November clock change.
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Tom Cotton floor speech opposing the Sunshine Protection Act
Relevant passage: Full speech, especially closing paragraph
About this source
Cotton opposes year-round daylight saving time and cites dark winter mornings and the earlier national experiment.
- Published
- Accessed
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Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Rick Scott backs permanent daylight saving time; Tom Cotton opposes it
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/permanent-daylight-saving-time-scott-cotton
The Dispute Index. "Rick Scott backs permanent daylight saving time; Tom Cotton opposes it". First published: 2026-11-02. Last updated: 2026-11-02. https://disputeindex.com/cases/permanent-daylight-saving-time-scott-cotton