Leftist congressional staffers are walking back their demand for a 32-hour work week after bipartisan backlash and mockery on social media.
The Congressional Progressive Staff Association sent a letter on January 16 demanding a “strong, diverse workforce prepared to help Congress deliver for the American people” — which they said could be achieved by cutting hours and establishing a rotating 32-hour work week for congressional staff, despite already having a half-day on Fridays because of the regular in-session congressional schedule. They also demanded that they still be paid the same amount for the 32-hour work week that they would have been paid for 40 hours.
“By adopting a 32-hour workweek for staff on a rotating basis, you can accomplish these goals while retaining the productivity and quality of work you expect and deserve from your team,” the staffers claimed in the letter. “We urge you to consider piloting the program in your own offices and encouraging your fellow Members across your conference or caucus to do the same.”
They also asserted that the new schedule would “improve worker satisfaction, increase staff retention in Congress, and model a more sustainable approach to work on a national level.”
“While Congress is always busy, responsibilities often wax and wane based on the session calendar,” the letter continued. “Given the cyclical nature of the schedule, we propose implementing a 32-hour workweek for DC-based staff during district work periods and a 32-hour workweek for district-based staff while in-session. Doing so — without a reduction in pay — would allow both DC and distinct staff to be fully available around the clock throughout more intensive periods when the Member is in town while allowing for a more sustainable schedule when workloads are more manageable.”
Progressive Hill staff are asking for a 32-hour workweek
"We write today to encourage you to consider adopting a proposal that would improve worker satisfaction, increase staff retention in Congress, and model a more sustainable approach to work on a national level." pic.twitter.com/t1LmmcycNp
— Nicholas Wu (@nicholaswu12) January 16, 2025
The letter prompted significant backlash from both sides of the aisle, leading to the staffers’ decision to withdraw the letter.
The staffers announced their decision in a statement to Politico, which read: “The Congressional Progressive Staff Association hereby withdraws its recent letter to congressional leadership on a rotating 32-hour workweek.”
They then claimed that their letter had failed to make it clear that they were still supposedly dedicated to “serving the American people no matter how many hours it takes to get the job done.”
The statement went on to note that there are “well-known, longstanding workplace issues that deserve Congress’s immediate attention” and a “myriad ways Congress can address these issues” — adding: “Right now, a 32-hour workweek for staff will not be one of them.”
The initial demand prompted outrage and mockery on social media, with even Democrats calling them out. Former Capitol Hill staffer and Democrat communications consultant Tim Hogan wrote: “lol read the room guys.”
lol read the room guys https://t.co/Qkbqj3mKv9
— Tim Hogan (@timjhogan) January 16, 2025
“Why not be bold and ask for a 0-hour workweek? I wonder how blue-collar Americans would feel about white-collar workers demanding a 32-hour workweek,” Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) wrote.
Why not be bold and ask for a 0-hour workweek?
I wonder how blue-collar Americans would feel about white-collar workers demanding a 32-hour workweek. pic.twitter.com/2Je1Zf6FHC
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) January 16, 2025
“No. I was a staffer. I worked 100 hours a week and loved it. I once pulled back to back all nighters to kill a really bad bill. I’d do it again. Grow up,” Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) wrote.
No. I was a staffer. I worked 100 hours a week and loved it. I once pulled back to back all nighters to kill a really bad bill. I’d do it again. Grow up. https://t.co/2FjLW1vThb
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) January 17, 2025
“You want to work 32 hours but get paid for 40? Nope. The taxpayers aka your boss, deserve folks who hustle and work hard FULL TIME on their behalf. This is public service after all,” Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) wrote.
You want to work 32 hours but get paid for 40? Nope. The taxpayers aka your boss, deserve folks who hustle and work hard FULL TIME on their behalf. This is public service after all… https://t.co/oBNRdleWGB
— Kat Cammack (@Kat_Cammack) January 17, 2025
