Senators can now hang up their suits and ties if they so choose after Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer ordered an end to the dress code in the once-austere upper chamber.
He made the change by directing the Senate’s Sergeant at Arms to stop enforcing the dress code, Axios first reported.
“Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor,” Mr. Schumer said in a statement. “I will continue to wear a suit.”
The relaxed dress code is a win for Sen. John Fetterman who can be seen wearing gym shorts and hoodies in the Senate. The Pennsylvania Democrat started off wearing suits and ties but has started to make the switch to more casual clothes.
Mr. Fetterman’s attire has caused some outroar in the past. In May, he stood next to other Democratic senators to discuss debt ceiling negotiations wearing a white hoodie, gym shorts and sneakers. His colleagues wore suits and ties.
“John Fetterman redefined Casual Friday on a Thursday morning,” Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert posted on X at the time. “It’s truly unbecoming for someone to show up like that to any job, let alone a job that only 100 people are elected to do. There’s just no excuse for it.”
The change only applies to senators. Reporters and staff members must still dress according to the old code of coat and tie for men and business for women.
Before, if a senator was not following the dress code, he or she would have to stick their head or hands into the chamber to vote, but now they are free to show up in whatever they want.
There has been some question about whether or not there is an official dress code written down in Senate rules. So far, no one has been able to find anything.
The change caught the eye of several Congress members who did not agree with Mr. Schumer’s direction.
“The Senate no longer enforcing a dress code for Senators to appease Fetterman is disgraceful,” Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X. “Dress code is one of society’s standards that set etiquette and respect for our institutions. Stop lowering the bar.”
Former Libertarian Rep. Justin Amash said that the change was “awful.”
“The Senate chamber isn’t your home, a gym, or an outdoor park. 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.”
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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