As the second Donald Trump presidential term dawns, some progressive Capitol Hill staffers are floating a bold new proposal: working less.
The Congressional Progressive Staff Association proposed establishing a rotating 32-hour workweek on the Hill in a letter to top House and Senate leaders Thursday, saying reduced hours could “improve worker satisfaction, increase staff retention in Congress, and model a more sustainable approach to work on a national level.”
Under the proposal, congressional staffers would still work long hours when their boss is around. But when Congress is in session, district office staffers would be entitled to an abbreviated, 20-percent-lighter schedule, and when it is not, D.C.-based staff would have a lighter week.
“We do not want a 32-hour workweek to just be another special benefit for Congressional staff,” the group said in its letter. “We hope that by adopting this policy, Members of Congress can help to advance the discussion around a more sustainable workweek as a national priority and model how it can work for private and public employers across the country and the world.”
It’s an idea that’s gained some traction on the left, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introducing legislation to implement a 32-hour workweek nationally. But those on the right and some corners of the left immediately panned the plan when it was released Thursday.
For some Democrats, the cusp of Trump’s inauguration was the wrong time to pitch working less. Said Tim Hogan, a Democratic communications consultant and former Hill staffer: “lol read the room guys.”
Added Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) on X: “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.”
As for Republicans? Some joked they were perfectly fine with their ideological opposites scaling back — as long as they scale back their salaries to match. “Progressives should opt in. Easy place to cut 20%+ @elonmusk,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) on X, tagging the tech billionaire and “Department of Government Efficiency” honcho.
The group was undeterred by the criticism.
“The frustration about this initiative comes from a fundamental misunderstanding. CPSA is not calling for Congress to jeopardize its productivity with a new office schedule. We believe — and researchers agree — that implementing a rotating 32-hour work week will not maintain existing levels of productivity and work quality, but increase them,” said group spokesperson Michael Suchecki.
