AM radio has made its case against permanent daylight saving time, but with President Donald Trump renewing his call for the Senate to lock the clocks, polling shows most would take the extra evening light over the mornings broadcasters are fighting for.
An AP-NORC poll fielded in October asked 1,289 adults to choose between permanent daylight saving time, “with less light in the morning and more light in the evening,” and permanent standard time. Fifty-six percent chose daylight saving time and 42% chose standard time. Separately, 47% said they oppose the current system of changing clocks twice a year, 40% said they neither favor nor oppose it, and 12% favor it.
Broadcasters have been on the other side of that choice. In November 2025, National Religious Broadcasters urged a House subcommittee to keep Standard Time. The NAB and Salem Media Group have also opposed the bill, according to Inside Radio, with Salem calling the change a “massive blow” to AM.
In May, language from the Sunshine Protection Act was folded into H.R. 7389, the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act, alongside the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. That same month, Trump vowed to stop the removal of AM radio from cars.
The day after the midterm elections, Trump again expressed support for the Sunshine Protection Act, saying, “Too bad the Senate has not yet approved the Sunshine Protection Act or, the I Don’t Want to Change My Clocks Anymore Act.”
“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?). Just a few days ago it was so nice and sunny at this same time…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.”
He also said he held off on pushing the issue before the election so that certain senators would not lose their races. The House passed the bill 308-117 on July 14, but the Senate has not taken it up.
