Democratic lawmakers introduce 32-hour workweek bill

Two Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill last week that would reduce the standard workweek to 32 hours without a loss in pay or benefits.

Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., reintroduced the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act, which would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act that sets the workweek as 40 hours.

What do Sanders and Takano argue? Takano has tied the need for this bill to advances in artificial intelligence and argued that workers should share in productivity gains. Sanders said that only the top 1% are benefiting from AI productivity, but the 32-hour workweek would distribute the wealth to the working class.

What do critics of the plan have to say? Club for Growth President David McIntosh joined FOX Business’ Stuart Varney to discuss the possible ramifications of a 32-hour work week. McIntosh argued that while AI could boost productivity and wages, mandating a shorter workweek could risk making life more unaffordable for Americans. He also said the proposal was part of a broader economic agenda he believes could raise costs, criticizing what he called far-left radical socialist policies.