They’ll need to work harder on working less.
Liberal Capitol Hill staffers withdrew a short-lived demand for a 32-hour workweek Friday after their “tone-deaf” request from a day earlier drew bipartisan mockery.
The Congressional Progressive Staff Association (CPSA) had asked congressional leaders on Thursday to adopt a rotating schedule that would allow staffers to log fewer hours when lawmakers are away from Washington, DC, and working in their districts.
The group now acknowledges that their letter missed the mark.
“The Congressional Progressive Staff Association hereby withdraws its recent letter to congressional leadership on a rotating 32-hour workweek,” read a statement released by CPSA.
“The letter failed to make two things clear: First, that progressive congressional staff are dedicated to serving the American people no matter how many hours it takes to get the job done. Second, that there are well-known, longstanding workplace issues that deserve Congress’s immediate attention if it wishes to effectively serve the people,” the statement continued.
“There are myriad ways Congress can address these issues. Right now, a 32-hour workweek for staff will not be one of them.”
The association, which has some 1,500 members, argued in their initial letter that staffers are forced to “work long hours at a level of rigor that regularly leads to burnout” when Congress is in session and suggested that a rotating 32-hour system could ease that burden.
“If implemented, offices are not likely to see a drop in overall productivity,” the group contended.
“The intensive nature of these roles often causes staffers to seek new positions earlier than they would in a more predictable and sustainable work environment. This is a poor outcome for both the office and the staffer,” CPSA added.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers, as well as current and former Capitol Hill staffers from both sides of the aisle slammed the request to work less.
“Trump is threatening to deport millions of people and y’all want to work LESS???? Are you trying to make it easier for him??” Geneva Fuentes, a staffer for Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), wrote on X.
Erin Perrine, a former staffer for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), recalled one particularly grueling “all nighter” and suggested that those not willing to put in that level of work for taxpayers should find other work.
“That’s life on the Hill. More than you know. And it’s a privilege. If you can’t do it, don’t,” she wrote on X.
Democratic pollster John Anzalone argued that the CPSA’s letter was “tone-deaf and “insulting to real people and constituents they represent.”
“In politics and government you work hard for the greater good,” he tweeted.
Even far-left Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called CPSA’s demand a “terrible idea.”
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) suggested that entrepreneur Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency should have a look at progressive staffers.
“Progressives should opt in. Easy place to cut 20%+ @elonmusk,” he posted on X.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) quipped: “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.”
CPSA noted that its members remain “ready to continue the urgent task of serving our bosses’ constituents and advancing the causes that put working-class people first.”
“CPSA is looking forward to continuing to support staff in their efforts to address these critical workplace issues,” the group’s statement concluded.
