In Washington, The Senate passed a resolution mandating business attire when senators are on the chamber’s floor, just days after loosening its unofficial dress code.
The modification comes in response to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s recent decision to stop enforcing the unofficial rule and permit senators to dress casually on the Senate floor. Schumer is a Democrat from New York. But Schumer said he would still dress in a suit.
The choice sparked an immediate response, particularly from Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who frequently comes to work in a hoodie and gym shorts.
The Senate unanimously approved the formal dress code on Wednesday, mandating a coat, tie, and slacks or long pants for men. There are no specific standards for women in it.
“Even though we’ve never had a formal dress code, the recent occurrences have convinced us all that formalizing [a dress code] is the best course of action. Sen. Fetterman’s cooperation with me to reach a compromise that we can all live with is very appreciated, Schumer remarked on Wednesday.
Democratic senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican senator Mitt Romney of Utah both introduced the motion.
“For 234 years, every senator who has had the honor of serving in this distinguished body has assumed that there were some basic written rules of decorum, conduct, and civility, one of which was a dress code,” Manchin said. We reasoned that perhaps it was time to finally codify a 234-year-old precedent.
Following the vote, Fetterman issued a statement that was silent and simply included a picture of Kevin James grinning.
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