No More Hoodies in the Senate
The U.S. Senate has officially formalized a business attire dress code while on the floor of the chamber. This decision comes after a week of bipartisan backlash following a relaxed dress code that allowed one senator to continue wearing hooded sweatshirts and gym shorts.
The bill, introduced by Senators Joe Manchin and Mitt Romney, received unanimous support from the Senate last Wednesday. It requires male members to wear a coat, tie, and slacks while on the Senate floor, with no specific guidelines for the dress code for female members.
Sen. John Fetterman, the junior senator from Pennsylvania.
The controversy began when Majority Leader Chuck Schumer quietly dropped the dress code rule last week, allowing Senator John Fetterman to continue wearing his trademark hoodie and gym shorts. The move sparked outrage from both Democrat and Republican senators, who saw it as a lack of respect for the formal setting of the Senate chamber.
In his remarks after the vote, Senator Schumer acknowledged the need for an official dress code, stating that "the events over the past week have made us all feel as though formalizing one is the right path forward." He also thanked Fetterman for his cooperation and Senators Manchin and Romney for their leadership on the issue.
Meanwhile, Senator Fetterman's office released a statement along with a viral meme photograph of actor Kevin James shrugging sheepishly. The move was seen as a nod to the senator's laid-back attitude towards the dress code controversy.
The resolution has been dubbed the "Fetterman Rule" by many, given the Senator's habit of wearing ultra-casual attire around the Capitol building. However, with the new dress code in place, all members of the Senate will now be expected to dress in a professional and respectful manner while conducting business on the floor.
This decision marks a significant turning point in the Senate's history and sets a new standard of conduct for all members. The bipartisan support for this bill sends a strong message that the Senate is committed to upholding the decorum and professionalism befitting of the highest legislative body in the nation.