The radical Left keeps coming up with awful ideas. It’s the only thing they’re good at.
And these Leftists have made a new proposal in Congress that has Americans ripping their hair out.
Leftist Staffers Propose a 32-Hour Workweek, Sparking Backlash
This week, members of the Congressional Progressive Staff Association, a far-Left caucus representing House and Senate employees, penned a letter to congressional leaders advocating for a dramatic shift in the standard work schedule. Their request? A reduction of the full-time workweek to just 32 hours to prevent staff burnout.
The staffers framed their proposal as a step toward “a more sustainable approach to work on a national level.” In their letter, they argued that shorter workweeks could help alleviate the demanding schedules faced by congressional employees.
“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,” they wrote. “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.”
The letter described congressional staff jobs as “often demanding and intensive,” with long hours frequently leading to burnout.
To combat this, the group proposed implementing the 32-hour workweek during less intensive periods, such as district work periods for D.C.-based staff or in-session periods for district-based staff, without any reduction in pay.
The staffers asserted that productivity would remain intact, saying, “If implemented, offices are not likely to see a drop in overall productivity.” For those skeptical of the idea, the letter suggested piloting the program for six months to assess its impact.
However, the proposal was met with significant backlash online and from lawmakers who questioned both its practicality and its optics.
Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) criticized the request, saying, “Members of Congress are always looking to hire and retain the best staff—hard workers who you can count on to go above and beyond on behalf of constituents. My advice to these ‘progressive staffers’ is simple: find a new industry. Public service is clearly not meant for you.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) was even more blunt, commenting, “If progressive hill staffers worked 0 hours per week, it would probably do more to help the Democrats win than anything else they could do.”
Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) also weighed in, dismissing the idea outright: “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…”
Lawmakers Out of Touch with Hardworking Americans
This letter reflects a broader disconnect between Leftist lawmakers and the everyday Americans they claim to represent. At a time when millions of Americans are working multiple jobs to make ends meet, calls for reduced hours with no pay cuts may strike many as tone-deaf.
Hardworking Americans are juggling long hours in industries like healthcare, construction, retail, and education, often without the luxury of flexible schedules or job security. These workers understand the value of perseverance and grit—qualities they expect their representatives and their staff to embody.
The push for a shortened workweek also raises questions about priorities. While families across the country face skyrocketing costs of living, economic uncertainty, and job insecurity, proposals like this seem out of step with the struggles of everyday citizens. Many see this as yet another example of Leftist elites prioritizing their comfort over addressing the real issues affecting working-class Americans.
As members of Congress debate this proposal, they would do well to consider how such a policy would resonate beyond the marble halls of Washington.
For many, the message is clear: if public servants want to earn the respect and trust of their constituents, they need to put in the hard work—not lobby for less of it.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
