The Congressional Progressive Staff Association on Friday withdrew its controversial letter that asked Congress to consider approving a shorter alternating work week during periods that Congress is not in session.

The initial letter, which was sent to congressional leadership on Thursday, advocated for 32-hour work weeks for Capitol Hill staffers when members of Congress were in their home districts, and 32-hour work weeks for district office employees when Congress was in session. 

The withdraw comes after the letter drew heavy bipartisan backlash, with Republicans accusing the staffers of wanting to work fewer hours than a full-time job for the same pay, and Democrats questioning the timing of the proposal.  

The association said it was withdrawing its letter because it failed to clarify that progressive staff members were devoted to serving Americans regardless of the hours, and that there were other “well-known, longstanding workplace issues that deserve Congress’ immediate attention," according to Politico. 

“The Congressional Progressive Staff Association hereby withdraws its recent letter to congressional leadership on a rotating 32-hour workweek,” the association said in a statement. “There are myriad ways Congress can address these issues. Right now, a 32-hour workweek for staff will not be one of them."

The letter was not the first time that Capitol Hill has toyed with the idea of a shorter work week. Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders last year introduced legislation to standardize a 32-hour work week without a cut in pay. 

The staffers also said in the initial letter that they were hoping that if the change was approved, then it would serve as a model for companies across the country in the future. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.