Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) won’t be allowed to show up on the Senate floor in his grungy hoodie and shorts after all with his colleagues agreeing to require formal business attire in a message that nobody is special.
On Wednesday, a resolution to restore decorum to the “world’s greatest deliberative body” brought forth by moderate Senator Joe Manchin (D- W.Va.) was passed by unanimous consent in a rebuke to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) who sparked controversy when he relaxed enforcement of the formal dress code to accommodate the slovenly senator from Pennsylvania.
The backlash against Schumer’s move, which was obviously done for the sole benefit of Fetterman, led to a rare moment of bipartisanship as both Democrat and Republican senators united behind Manchin’s resolution to end the short-lived clown show that drew national attention.
“The United States Capitol is more than just a place of work—it serves as a symbol of freedom and democracy to the world,” said Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) who teamed up with Manchin on the resolution.
As senators, we should demonstrate reverence for the institution in which we serve—and our attire is one of the most basic expressions of that respect. Proud our resolution to reinstate the business attire dress code on the Senate floor passed unanimously.https://t.co/zn2ZoZ5Ntv
— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) September 28, 2023
“This is not the biggest thing going on in Washington today. It’s not even one of the biggest things going on in Washington today. But nonetheless, it’s a good thing. It’s another example of Republicans and Democrats being able to work together and to solve—in this case—what may not be a real big problem, but it’s an important thing and makes a difference to a lot of people,” the Trump-hating senator added.
“For 234 years, every Senator that has had the honor of serving in this distinguished body has assumed there were some basic written rules of decorum, conduct and civility, one of which was a dress code,” said Sen. Manchin. “Just over a week ago, we all learned that there were not – in fact – any written rules about what Senators could and could not wear on the floor of the Senate. So Senator Romney and I got together and we thought maybe it’s time that we finally codify something that was the precedented rule for 234 years.”
Fetterman joked about the dress code on Tuesday during an appearance on MSNBC, telling race-baiting host Joy Reid that he could care less if a Republican colleague decided to show up to work wearing a costume of a popular Marvel Comics superhero.
.@JohnFetterman: “@tedcruz could show up dressed like Spiderman & I would be a-OK w/ that. I do think we have more important kinds of things to be worrying about, you know, whether it’s gold bars in a mattress or whether it’s the shutdown or the impeachment” pic.twitter.com/Fkt1AhTNiL
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) September 27, 2023
Facing a unified front against his desire to be allowed to dress like a slob, Fetterman had already run up the white flag of surrender prior to the passage of Manchin’s resolution.
Some Senate fashion NEWS:
Sen. John Fetterman said during Dem lunch he will wear a suit when speaking or presiding over the chamber
If not in a suit, Fetterman will vote from the cloakroom, per sources familiar with the discussion
— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) September 27, 2023
“Sen. John Fetterman said during Dem lunch he will wear a suit when speaking or presiding over the chamber,” reported Heather Caygle of Punchbowl News. “If not in a suit, Fetterman will vote from the cloakroom, per sources familiar with the discussion.”
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