Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and 45 of his Republican colleagues are calling on the Democrat leder of the Senate, Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to reverse his recent decision to loosen Senate dress code rules.
Schumer recently announced that the chamber’s Sergeant-at-Arms, which acts as the Senate’s official clothing police, will no longer enforce a dress code on the Senate floor.
In a statement, Schumer said, “Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit.”
The change comes after Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) drew attention for regularly wearing shorts and sloppy clothing as he goes about his Senate duties, voting from doorways, so he doesn’t get reprimanded for his casual attire. Schumer did not mention Fetterman in his statement about the dress code.
Staff and members of the public are still required to adhere to the more formal dress code.
Sen. Rand Paul showed up barefoot and wearing a red bathroom on Capitol Hill, in protest of Schumer’s new dress code.
This rule change stinks and it’s unprecedented. I’ll be wearing a suit and necktie on the Senate floor as I’ve always done and has been expected of senators for nearly 240 years. If you can’t count on the Majority Leader of the United States Senate to uphold decorum, who can you count on?”
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
Read lawmakers’ full letter, led by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) here or below.
September 19, 2023
The Honorable Chuck Schumer Majority Leader United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20150
Dear Leader Schumer:
For more than 230 years, the United States Senate has served the American people with honor and dignity. As members of this esteemed body, we understand the seriousness our positions require.
The Senate is a place of honor and tradition, and the Senate floor is where we conduct the business of the American people. It is where we debate the policies which impact every American family and, when necessary, it is where we must make the gravest decision imaginable – whether to send our fellow Americans into battle to defend the freedoms we all hold dear. The world watches us on that floor and we must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs.
Allowing casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve and the American families we represent. We the undersigned members of the United States Senate write to express our supreme disappointment and resolute disapproval of your recent decision to abandon the Senate’s longstanding dress code for members, and urge you to immediately reverse this misguided action.
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They should all just show up dressed like clowns.
Love that idea. Or in their pajamas. Love Sen. Rand Paul’s approach. It’s time to make fun of Shumer to shame him for such a dumb decision. We want professionalism back with our Senators. Or maybe Shumer snd Fetterman should find employment elsewhere.
Senator Paul looks like a swami with high knowledge from the spiritual kingdoms.
Well the democrats have already proven how ignorant they look by doing what they did. Changing now is to little to late. Keep the stupid dress code in place so we can all look at, and be reminded, of the clowns we elected!!
I’m pretty sure the Rand Paul image was AI generated.
I believe a change in the dress code might be appropriate. I’d suggest orange jumpsuits-you know, what the inmates wear in prisons.
Planned distraction.
Uniparty and MSM does not want to discuss real issues.
A standard mangement principle is the boss is always supposed to dress better than the staff/employees. While Fetterman is better suited to be cleaning toilets, unfortunately, he was elected to be a US Senator. Dress like it.
Fetterman, his constituency, and supporters need to grow up. The Capitol Building is not supposed to be someone’s playpen.
Schumer being his biggest supporter. I would have negotiated a equitable solution with Fetterman. A simple announcement, such as, “All votes will take place from your Senate Seat and no place else”.
I read some great suggestions above, Clown Suit and Orange Jump Suit come to mind. For the time being they will have to look like US Senators.