A progressive activist questioned whether the Senate’s dress code of business attire discriminates against transgender individuals.
Daniel Schulman, policy director for Demand Progress, wrote in a thread on X that he took exception to the dress code resolution co-authored by Sens. Joseph Manchin III, West Virginia Democrat, and Mitt Romney, Utah Republican. It was approved this week.
Mr. Schulman noted the phrase in the resolution that states “that business attire be worn on the floor of the Senate, which for men shall include a coat, tie, and slacks or other long pants.”
He termed it “a culture war resolution: ’men’ must wear a coat, tie, and slacks.”
“So if you are trans, does the resolution require you to dress a certain way?” Mr. Schulman asked. “Who is the arbiter of who counts as a man for the purposes of the resolution?”
Mr. Schulman also said it applies if someone wants to dress in drag.
The Senate approved a bipartisan resolution Wednesday to reinstate the dress code after widespread displeasure with Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer for loosening the attire requirement last month. A backlash ensued, and many blamed Sen. John Fetterman, Pennsylvania Democrat, who routinely wears a hoodie and large gym shorts to the Senate.
The approval of the resolution this week also codified the previously unwritten rule that senators and staff must dress in business attire in the Senate chamber.
With a dress code in place, Mr. Fetterman refrained from walking on to the floor, and voted from the doorway of the lower chamber’s Democratic cloakroom.
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.
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