Senator Bernie Sanders strongly responded to Fox Business correspondent Hillary Vaughn’s questions regarding his proposed legislation to shorten the work week from 40 hours to 32. The legislation aims to transition to a four-day work week without any reduction in pay within a four-year period, as outlined by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
During a hearing in support of the bill, Sanders emphasized that despite the significant increase in worker productivity over the years, the wealthy continue to amass wealth. Following the hearing, Vaughn approached Sanders in a hallway, where he repeatedly interrupted her inquiries about the financial implications of a 32-hour work week.
“We held a hearing on a 32-hour work week because what we have seen is that over the last 50 years, despite a huge increase in worker productivity, almost all of the new wealth has gone to the top one percent while 60 percent of the people are living paycheck to paycheck,” Sanders told Vaughn after her second attempt to finish asking her question. “Many of our people are exhausted. We work the longest hours of any people in the industrialized world. I think it’s time for a shortened work week.”
“Can I ask you a question about that. It seems like Democrats want businesses to be taxed more —” Vaughn began.
“Really? That’s not my assumption, I don’t think so!” Sanders interrupted again, bobbing his head toward Vaughn.
