--- title: Republican Debate: Jeb Bush Apologizes to France description: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush apologized to the people of France on Tuesday for making fun of their work week canonical: https://time.com/4099175/jeb-bush-republican-debate-france-apology/ author: Zeke Miller article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-11-04T01:15:37.000Z article:modified_time: 2023-12-13T23:24:49.000Z article:section: Politics og:title: Jeb Bush Says He Was Wrong about France's Workweek og:description: "I really did a disservice to the French," he joked og:url: https://time.com/4099175/jeb-bush-republican-debate-france-apology/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte406ff4cd16459af/69886f77a988ca7fb86b51f4/jeb-bush2.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2560 og:image:height: 1440 og:image:alt: Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, addresses an audience at a campaign event held in a barn belonging to former Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, in Rye, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Jeb Bush Says He Was Wrong about France's Workweek twitter:description: "I really did a disservice to the French," he joked twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte406ff4cd16459af/69886f77a988ca7fb86b51f4/jeb-bush2.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Jeb Bush Says He Was Wrong about France's Workweek > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: September 2026. ## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. 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Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=a52a6407-b64a-444c-bf6f-941b66623c9a&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1) ## Video: 2016 CNBC GOP DEBATE: Bush and Rubio Volley Back-and-Forth [Watch (HLS stream): 2016 CNBC GOP DEBATE: Bush and Rubio Volley Back-and-Forth](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/8lWPOGrH.m3u8) (0:23)  _Published 2015-10-29. Watch Bush and Rubio trade barbs during the 2016 CNBC GOP Presidential Debate._ by [Zeke J Miller / Raymond, N.H.](https://time.com/author/zeke-j-miller/) ## Zeke J Miller / Raymond, N.H. Updated: Dec 13, 2023 11:24 PM UTCPublished: Nov 4, 2015 1:15 AM UTC  Jeb Bush addresses an audience at a campaign event held in a barn belonging to former Sen. Scott Brown in Rye, N.H., on Nov. 3, 2015. Jeb Bush addresses an audience at a campaign event held in a barn belonging to former Sen. Scott Brown in Rye, N.H., on Nov. 3, 2015. Steven Senne—AP by [Zeke J Miller / Raymond, N.H.](https://time.com/author/zeke-j-miller/) ## Zeke J Miller / Raymond, N.H. Updated: Dec 13, 2023 11:24 PM UTCPublished: Nov 4, 2015 1:15 AM UTC Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush lightheartedly apologized to the people of France on Tuesday for [making fun of their work week during last week’s Republican debate.](http://time.com/4092827/french-ambassador-jeb-bush-gop-debate/) Speaking to reporters aboard his campaign bus on the first leg of a three-day swing through New Hampshire, Bush once again criticized congressional lawmakers for working a three-day week, saying lawmakers have over-promised and under-delivered to the American people in successive elections. But the GOP presidential hopeful acknowledged he was wrong to criticize the French when he was trying to highlight rival Marco Rubio’s poor voting record in the Senate. “I made the mistake of saying that the Congress operates on a French work week,” he deadpanned. “I really did a disservice to the French,” Bush added with a chuckle Tuesday. “My inbox was full of French journalists,” piped in campaign spokesman Tim Miller. “} –> “I now know that the average French workweek is actually greater than the German workweek,” Bush continued. “So, my God, I totally insulted an entire country—our first ally—that helped us become free as a nation! And I apologize. That did a huge disservice to France. It didn’t really get to the magnitude of the problem: Three day work week.” During the debate, Bush challenged Rubio’s lackluster attendance record in an assault that ultimately backfired. “I mean, literally, the Senate—what is it, like a French work week?” Bush asked, calling on Rubio to resign his Senate position. The line [drew a rebuke](http://time.com/4092827/french-ambassador-jeb-bush-gop-debate/) from French ambassador to the United States Gérard Araud. Bush said he “didn’t finish the sentence” when he was critiquing Rubio on the debate stage, in a moment that was viewed widely as a resounding victory for Bush’s former protege. Rubio replied by rising above the assault, saying he the only reason Bush was criticizing him was because they are both running for President. ## Transcript But Marco when you signed up for this this was a six year term and you should be showing up to work. I mean literally the Senate what is it, a French work week? You get like three days where you have to show up? I don't remember you ever complaining about John McCain's vote record. The only reason why you're doing it now is because we're running for the same position and someone has convinced you that attacking me is gonna help you. 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