Democrat Staffers Urge Shift to 32-Hour Full-Time Work Week

A group of progressive congressional staffers is pushing for a dramatic shift in the full-time work week, advocating for a 32-hour schedule without any reduction in pay. The proposal, championed by the Congressional Progressive Staff Association, has drawn widespread ridicule for its apparent detachment from the realities of public service and taxpayer accountability.

The staffers framed their request as a way to promote "a more sustainable approach to work on a national level," arguing that burnout from the demanding nature of congressional jobs justified the change.

“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 in a letter to congressional leaders.

The letter suggested a reduced workweek on a rotating basis for D.C.-based staff during district work periods and for district-based staff during in-session times. Staffers insisted this would allow them to be fully available during high-intensity periods while offering a more “sustainable schedule” when workloads were lighter.

Their rationale? Long hours in demanding roles lead to burnout, and shorter workweeks would not compromise productivity. To skeptics, they proposed a six-month pilot program to test its effectiveness.

Republican lawmakers wasted no time in slamming the idea.

• Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT): “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): “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): “The taxpayers aka your boss, deserve folks who hustle and work hard FULL TIME on their behalf. This is public service after all.”

Critics pointed out that congressional staffers already enjoy generous salaries and benefits, with many receiving six-figure compensation packages. They argued that the public expects full-time employees in public service to work full-time hours, not to campaign for cushier schedules on the taxpayer’s dime.

The backlash underscores a broader divide between progressive staffers and the expectations of many Americans. While the staffers claim to prioritize sustainability, critics argue that public service demands sacrifice and commitment, not shortened hours.

The proposal has sparked debates about work ethic and taxpayer accountability, with many viewing it as emblematic of a growing entitlement mentality in Washington.

Taxpayers deserve a government that works as hard as they do. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on how public officials and their staff are serving the American people.