To accommodate Senator John Fetterman’s (D-Penn.) refusal to wear professional attire on the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has reportedly ditched the dress code requirements for the upper chamber.
The dress code had previously mandated that male senators wear a jacket and tie and female senators a dress or other businesswear on the floor. According to Axios, Schumer has directed the Senate’s sergeant at arms to stop enforcing those rules starting this week.
“Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor,” Schumer told Axios in a statement, Sunday. “I will continue to wear a suit.”
Others entering the chamber, however, will still be expected to comply with the former dress code, according to Fox News correspondent Chad Pergram. “Coats/ties for men. Business attire for women.”
Fox confirms that the Senate will no longer enforce a dress code for senators. Senators can now what ever they want. However, others entering the chamber must comply with the dress code. Coats/ties for men. Business attire for women
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) September 17, 2023
The change in policy comes after Fetterman drew criticism for wearing hooded sweatshirts, gym shorts and sneakers to the chamber following his six-week stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he was treated for clinical depression earlier this year.
The 6-foot-8-inch Democrat “previously got around the dress code by voting from the doorway of the Democratic cloakroom or the side entrance to the Senate floor, rather than the floor itself,” according to Fox.
BREAKING – YOUR REACTION: Report Just In Reveals Democrat Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Has Quietly Directed the Senate's Sergeant at Arms to No Longer Enforce the Chamber's Dress Code for its Members. pic.twitter.com/x9atmGZJV6
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) September 17, 2023
Republicans are blasting the policy change on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Awful. The Senate chamber isn’t your home, a gym, or an outdoor park,” wrote former Rep. Justin Amish (R-Mich.). “If you can’t dress professionally for work on the floor of the Senate of the United States, then do us all a favor and get a different job.”
“The Senate no longer enforcing a dress code for Senators to appease Fetterman is disgraceful,” wrote Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.) Dress code is one of society’s standards that set etiquette and respect for our institutions. Stop lowering the bar!”
“The Senate will no longer enforce its dress code, all because John Fetterman is a revolting slob,” said conservative commentator Monica Crowley. “This is a material debasement of a storied institution and an absolute reflection of America’s steep decline.”
“The ‘Fetterman rule’ should be mandatory cognitive tests in the Senate … instead of changing the dress code to allow Senators to dress like they’re homeless,” wrote conservative comedian Tim Young.
America First Legal Founder Stephan Miller suggested that Fetterman would be remembered for infantilizing the U.S. Senate.
“The legacy of Sen. Fetterman will be making the Senate of the United States adopt the dress code of a kindergarten class,” the former Trump advisor said. “Except five-years olds actually know how to wear pants.”
“Schumer proves once again he is an absolutely horrible Majority Leader,” wrote Town Hall’s Katie Pavlich. “What a disgrace and disrespect to the institution. Get dressed for work people, it’s not that hard.”