Republicans Fear Negative Impact on Businesses from Proposed 32-Hour Workweek Bill

Senate Republicans are widely opposed to the legislation proposed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., that would make a 32-hour workweek the standard, citing concerns about how it might increase costs for businesses, The Hill reports.

Sanders’ bill would lower the required threshold for overtime pay from 40 hours to 32 hours per week over the course of four years.

“The question that we are asking today is a pretty simple question: Do we continue the trend that technology only benefits the people on top, or do we demand that these transformational changes benefit working people? And one of the benefits must be a lower work week,” Sanders said.

Many Republicans pushed back on the proposal.

“In reality, there is no free lunch,” Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said in reference to the bill.

“Workers will be the ones who would pay — not get paid extra. The government mandating a 32-hour workweek requiring businesses to increase pay at least an extra 25% per hour would, frankly, destroy some employers,” he added.

Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., said that while larger companies could benefit from the change, it would hinder smaller companies and independent businesses.

“I’m not worried about big corporations,” Braun said, according to The Hill. “They generally are going to land on their feet anyway, and I believe they ought to be negotiated with for all the things you might do to improve the position of a worker there. But what about Main Street and small business?”