Progressive congressional staff blasted from both sides for 'strategically asinine' move

Progressive congressional staff sent a letter to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) asking to occasionally shorten their work week to 32 hours "on a rotating basis" during some of the weeks of the year when members aren't in Washington. However, it is a request that's unified both sides with criticism.

There are weeks in the congressional calendar when officials return home, leaving D.C. staff with a less demanding schedule. During those weeks, some staffers are asking for shorter schedules. In Congress staff aren't given overtime pay or compensatory time.

Junior-level congressional staff are said to be underpaid in a city known for its astronomical housing costs. A June report from Issue One said staff pay has slowly increased between 2021 and 2023 to bring them up to a "livable wage." However, most of those jobs require working 80-plus-hour weeks and staying late to accompany elected officials to meetings, dinners, and political events.

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For context, a staff assistant on Capitol Hill makes about $45,000. In Washington, D.C. the average teacher salary is between $53,000 and $88,000 a year with a base pay of $49,000.

Some congressional staffers have succeeded in getting raises, but they're offering a new plan by asking to work fewer hours instead. Indeed, it would allow many staffers to get a second job to help afford to live in the district.

Critics on social media said the move looks absurd to everyday Americans unaware of the pay for congressional staff.

Democratic strategist Bakari Sellers posted on X, "This is actually awful political instincts."

Former Capitol Hill staffer and GOP communications consultant Maura Gillespie posted, "A majority of us Hill staff/alum reacting to this utter nonsense:" with a "SHAME" GIF.

Democratic Senate staffer Tré Easton posted, "I cannot imagine a more strategically asinine time to propose this."

ACLU digital engagement head Stefan Smith wrote, "Asking for a shorter work week than the Americans you serve is the type of terrible political instincts that keep me from ever identifying as an actual Progressive."

Former House and Senate staffer Jake Abbott wrote, "Respectfully, if you feel this way, maybe this line of work isn’t for you. Ask for better pay, better benefits, and more opportunities to grow and make a difference. Don’t ask to work less than the people you represent."

NOTUS Capitol Hill Bureau chief Matt Fuller noted, "As far as I can tell, this letter is having the intended effect: To allow older Hill staffers to brag that they used to work 64 hours a week in the office and then spend another 32 hours at Cap Lounge."