Senator Bernie Sanders had a verbal altercation with FOX Business correspondent Hillary Vaughn after she asked about his proposed 32-hour work week.
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Bernie Sanders and the reporter face off
According to Fox NewsVaughn stopped Sanders in a Capitol hallway on March 14 and asked him how businesses would survive if the legislation passed.
Bernie was walking down the hall when Vaughn started to ask him a question.
“Senator Sanders, can I talk to you about the 32-hour work week?” she asked. “It seems like the Democrats want companies to be taxed more, pay their…”
Sanders abruptly interrupted her.
“Really?!” he said, with a hand gesture in her face.
He seemed frustrated by the question.
“Is that what you think? No, I think…” Bernie said before Vaughn started talking about him.
The journalist started to ask the question again and Senator Sanders interrupted: “Excuse me, excuse me.”
However, the correspondent spoke again, insisting that she was unable to finish the question.
The senator defends a shorter work week
Bernie seemed irritated by the conversation and turned to leave. However, he quickly reconsidered his decision and addressed the camera, stating, “We held a hearing on a 32-hour work week.”
“Because what we’ve seen is that over the last 50 years, despite a huge increase in worker productivity, almost all of the wealth has gone to the richest 1%, while 60% of people live paycheck to paycheck,” he continued. “Many of our people are exhausted. We work more hours than anyone in the industrialized world. I think it’s time for a shorter work week.”
Vaughn tried to ask the question one more time after his answer.
“Can I ask you a question about this? It seems like Democrats want corporations to be taxed more…”
But Bernie didn’t accept it. The politician was not trying to give Vaughn any opportunity to criticize his proposal.
She continued to ask her question while the senator spoke over her.
“Democrats want companies to be taxed more…pay their workers more…lower prices…and now pay their workers not to work – how are companies going to survive all this?” Vaughn asked. “That’s the question. How can companies survive all these proposals?”
As a result, Bernie drafted a direct response.
“When Mr. Bezos pays a lower effective tax rate than the average worker, I think we have a real problem with our tax system,” Sanders responded. “I think billionaires have to start paying their fair share of taxes. Thanks.”
Bernie Sanders Loses Control After Fox Business Network’s Hillary Vaughn Presses Him on His Proposal for a 32-Hour Work Week with No Pay Cut
Sanders: ‘Too many of our people are exhausted. We work more hours than anyone in the industrialized world… I think it’s time to… pic.twitter.com/b4WICUEyhh
– Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) March 14, 2024
Additionally, the senator introduced the Thirty-Two Hour Work Week Act, which would shorten the 40-hour work week. This would allow for a greater opportunity for overtime pay for non-exempt employees, FOX News reports.
“The financial gains from major advances in artificial intelligence, automation and new technologies must benefit the working class, not just corporate CEOs and wealthy Wall Street shareholders. It’s time to reduce the level of stress in our country and allow Americans to enjoy a better quality of life. It’s time for a 32-hour work week with no lost pay,” Sanders explained, for Fox 35 Orlando.
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