The Senate Drops Dress Code Enforcement, Sparking Outrage
In a move that has sparked controversy, the Senate has decided to drop the enforcement of its dress code on the Senate floor. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Monday that staff for the Senate’s Sergeant-at-Arms, the chamber’s official clothes police, will no longer be responsible for enforcing the dress code. The decision came after Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman started wearing shorts during his duties and even voting from doorways to avoid breaking the dress code.
Schumer stated that there had previously been an informal dress code that was enforced, but now senators are free to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. However, he made it clear that he himself will continue to wear a suit. The change in dress code enforcement only applies to senators and not to staff members.
The decision has not been well-received by all members of the Senate, especially those who prefer a more formal attire. Some senators believe that maintaining a certain level of decorum is important for the institution. Republican Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas described it as a sad day in the Senate and suggested that Fetterman and Schumer should be embarrassed for their choice to relax the rules. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine agreed, jokingly stating that she planned to wear a bikini to the Senate floor.
Senator Fetterman, however, is unapologetic about his more casual attire. He believes that the change in dress code rules is not a cause for outrage and that there are more important issues to focus on. While he appreciates having the option to dress more casually, he intends to use it sparingly. Fetterman’s signature hoodies and gym shorts have become a symbol of his recovery after checking himself into the hospital for clinical depression earlier this year.
There are mixed reactions to the dress code change among senators. Some, like Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, see it as an opportunity to be more comfortable while still fulfilling their duties. Others, like Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, have been reprimanded in the past for not wearing a tie on the floor. It remains unclear if the previous dress code rules were ever formally written down, but Schumer’s directive ensures that staff will no longer scold senators or ask them to vote from the doorway based on their clothing choices.
In conclusion, the decision to drop the dress code enforcement in the Senate has sparked outrage among some members who believe it diminishes the decorum of the institution. However, others see it as an opportunity for senators to be more comfortable while carrying out their duties. Senator Fetterman, who has been at the center of the dress code controversy, remains unbothered by the criticism and intends to exercise the new flexibility sparingly. The dress code change represents a departure from the more formal traditions of the Senate and has generated a heated debate among its members.
