Bill · S. 5384· Senate(119-S-5384)
Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act
- Introduced
- 9/14/2026
- Last activity
- 9/14/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Bernie Sanders
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act," seeks to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. The primary goal is to reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours. It changes how overtime is calculated, requiring extra pay for work exceeding 32 hours a week or specific daily limits. The bill also implements a tiered schedule for these changes over several years. Additionally, it prohibits employers from reducing pay or benefits because of these new rules.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would union members be better off under this?+6
The bill expands wage protections and overtime pay, which aligns with union-led labor standards.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The expansion of overtime pay provides a higher earning potential for hourly workers.
Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay?+5
The bill increases pay for employees by mandating overtime rates for work exceeding 32 hours per week or specific daily hour thresholds.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-6
Employers face significantly higher labor costs due to the expanded overtime requirements and daily thresholds.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Overtime Pay for Daily Hours: Employees will receive compensation at a rate not less than one and one-half times their regular rate for work longer than eight hours (but not more than 12 hours), and double their regular rate for work exceeding 12 hours. (Section 2, Section 7(a)(1)(A)(B))
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Protection of Current Wages and Benefits: Employers are prohibited from reducing an employee's total workweek compensation rate or any other employee benefits as a result of the changes made by this Act. (Section 2, Section 7(a)(3))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Phased Implementation of Overtime Thresholds: There is a period where employees may not receive the full benefits of the 32-hour standard immediately. For the first year, overtime pay only applies to workweeks longer than 38 hours; in the second year, it applies to weeks longer than 36 hours; and in the third year, it applies to weeks longer than 34 hours. (Section 2, Section 7(a)(2))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+6Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Middle Aged+4Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Young Adults+4Good For Business Owners-6
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Minimum Wage+5Improves Union Protections+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+4
- 9/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.