Progressive Capitol Hill staffers have risked the wrath of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by demanding their work weeks be shortened to just 32 hours.
The Congressional Progressive Staff Association (CPSA) issued a letter Thursday calling for a six-month pilot program to test out the four-day work week, in hopes of “improving employee satisfaction.”
The letter also argued that the short work week would “increase staff retention in Congress and model a more sustainable approach to work at the national level.”
While arguing the new hours would make them “more effective and efficient,” the letter notes that this does not equate to a pay cut.
They said working as a congressional staffer is a “demanding and intensive” role, and that an easier work-life balance would improve life on the Hill.
“Employees who assist with case processing must provide support on life-changing cases in a thorough and timely manner, and the outreach to local officials, businesses and the communities the member represents cannot stop while they are in Washington,” the statement said. letter.
The requirement was ridiculed by those who questioned why the CPSA even exists, with some Republicans joking that they hoped progressive staffers would work fewer hours than 32 once Donald Trump returns to the White House.
“For example, I completely support progressive staffers who undermine their representative’s ability to be influential and effective,” said someone on X. “In fact, 32 hours is too many! Another twenty hours or you’ll strike!’
The Congressional Progressive Staff Association (pictured) released a letter Thursday demanding their work weeks be shortened to just 32 hours

Critics said the requirement risked the wrath of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which will be led by billionaire Trump ally Elon Musk.

The CPSA’s letter concluded that shortening their work week would cause them to stay in Washington longer because they have seen that “long hours at a rigorous level regularly lead to burnout.”
“The intensive nature of these roles often causes staffers to seek new positions sooner than they would in a more predictable and sustainable work environment,” the letter said.
“This is a bad outcome for both the office and the staffer.”
While some mocked the group’s demand, other former staffers said such a demand would have been unthinkable when they previously worked in the Capitol.
Josh Holmes, a podcaster, former Hill staffer and current president of public affairs firm Cavalry, went to X to say when he first started in Washington “you couldn’t keep me away” from the office.
‘I slept in the office for a few nights to make sure no one else could make any more effort. It was more than a job, it was an acknowledgment of privilege,” he wrote.
“I hope Republican staffers see this progressive letter as an opportunity to work harder. The day that the Capitol looks more like a job or a career than a unique opportunity to help improve the lives of the American people is the day you should walk away and let someone else do the job.
“Working for the American taxpayer is not something you should do if you are concerned about your computing time.”




Others pointed to the newly formed DOGE initiative in Trump’s new White House, led by billionaire Trump ally Elon Musk.
“Hey DOGE, if ‘progressive hill crews’ can complete their work in 32 hours a week, then I think it’s time to reduce and redistribute the workload to accommodate a 40 hour work week, WITHOUT a raise,” said one X user in response to the letter.
“Anyone who receives a government salary can expect to work at least 40 hours a week.”
Another wondered: ‘Why is the government subject to a different administration than the rest of the country? No one else works 32 hours.”
The timing of the letter also raised eyebrows, as Donald Trump’s inauguration next week will dramatically reshape Washington as he re-enters the White House.
Washington Post journalist Jim Geraghty joined the debate by tweeting: “Imagine being a progressive activist, and you learn that just as Donald Trump is about to come back to town.
“With 53 Republicans in the Senate and 219 Republicans in the House of Representatives eager to reform the federal government from top to bottom… your members’ staffs want to work just four days a week.”