Trump wants Republicans to get one last thing done: Change time - USA Today

President Donald Trump called on Republicans to secure at least one last legislative victory while they still hold control of Congress: pass a bill to get rid of daylight savings.

"I didn’t want to make a big deal out of this prior to the Election because I didn’t want to have certain Senators lose their Race, in a landslide, but it is too bad they can’t get it done," the president said in a statement as darkness fell on Nov. 5. "We have far bigger priorities, but I will keep fighting for this!"

The president’s call for Republicans to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, or what he called the "I Don’t Want to Change My Clocks Anymore Act," comes just a day after the midterms. Democrats trounced incumbent Republicans in what’s being seen as a repudiation of Trump’s handling of the country during the first two years of his second term. As of 7 p.m. ET, Democrats had flipped seven Senate seats and 32 seats in the House.

"It’s so dark outside, so early (Sunset was 5:06 P.M., and it was dark by 5:31 P.M. — Isn’t that ridiculous?)," Trump said. "Just a few days ago it was so nice and sunny at this same time. In addition, everyone’s been running around changing their clocks all over the place."

The bill Trump is calling for would eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes. The president’s effort enjoys growing public support but was stalled while the Senate was in an extended election recess.

The current law on daylight saving time − Uniform Time Act of 1966 − was enacted under President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration and only Congress has the authority to change it, though the Secretary of Transportation oversees its administration under federal law. For now, neither has changed it.

Contributing by USA TODAY Trending News Reporter Saman Shafiq.