US President Donald Trump has called for an end to the practice of changing clocks twice a year, saying legislation approved by the House of Representatives should also pass the Senate.
Speaking to workers at the General Motors Milford Proving Ground in Michigan on Monday, Trump unexpectedly raised the issue while recalling his father’s fondness for Cadillac cars.
Describing how his father bought a new Cadillac every two years, Trump said, “You could set your clocks by it.”
He then added: “And, by the way, speaking of that, let’s get rid of daylight saving time stuff, OK?”
Trump said Congress was already considering legislation on the issue.
“We have a bill in. Hopefully, the Senate is going to improve that one. The House approved it, and we’re going to get rid of that,” he said.
The president acknowledged the abrupt shift in topic, describing it as part of his speaking style.
“You know, it’s called the weave, right?” he said. “I go from — we always get back to the right subject.”
Trump did not identify the legislation or clarify whether he supports permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time if the seasonal clock changes are abolished.
He then returned to discussing the automobile industry, recounting how his father had a Cadillac modified so it could be driven either by himself or by a chauffeur.
Most of the United States advances clocks by one hour in spring and sets them back by one hour in autumn. Supporters of ending the practice argue that the biannual time changes disrupt sleep, travel and business operations, while debate continues over whether the country should adopt permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time.
Any nationwide change would require legislation to pass both the House and Senate before being signed into law by the president.
If adopted, the move would also alter the seasonal time difference between the United States and India, affecting airline schedules, financial markets and business communications between the two countries.
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