With the support of both parties, the upper house passed a traditional dress code.
Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., quietly loosened dress rules last week, letting Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., keep wearing hooded sweatshirts and gym shorts. On Wednesday night, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution making business attire the official dress code for the floor of the chamber. This was in response to criticism from both sides of the aisle.
The bill from Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, says that senators have to wear a certain kind of clothing when they are on the Senate floor.
HERE IS WHAT THESE AMERICANS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE SENATE’S NEW DRESS CODE.
The new written rules say that men must wear a coat, a tie, and pants. The resolution does not say anything about how women members should dress.
Schumer said on Wednesday that a formal dress rule is “the right way to go.”
“We’ve never had an official dress code before, but the events of the past week have made us all think that making one official is the best way to move forward,” Schumer said. “I’m very grateful that Senator Fetterman worked with me to find a solution that works for everyone. I’m also grateful that Senators Manchin and Romney took the lead on this issue.”
After the vote, Fetterman’s office put out a short statement that included a picture of actor Kevin James awkwardly shrugging that had become a popular joke.
After Schumer dropped the dress code for senators on September 17, there was a lot of pushback.
Many people have called it the “Fetterman Rule” because Fetterman is often seen wearing his trademark gym shorts and jacket in the Capitol building.
