Senate Unanimously Passes Bill For New Dress Code

Shortly after creating new dress code rules to cater to Senator John Fetterman the Senate has now reversed order.

The Senate unanimously passed a bill that requires all members to abide by a dress code that includes formal attire such as a coat, slacks, and tie for men.

Previously Senator Chuck Schumer asked the sergeant of arms to not enforce the dress code on the chamber’s floor so Sen. Fetterman could vote while wearing shorts and a hoodie.

In a statement on the bill, Schumer stated “I deeply appreciate Senator Fetterman working with me to come to an agreement that we all find acceptable, and of course, I appreciate Sen. Manchin and Sen. Romney’s leadership on this issue.”

The shorts were short-lived.

The Senate unanimously passed a bill requiring members to follow a dress code that will include a coat, tie, and slacks for men, ending controversy triggered over Sen. John Fetterman displaying his casual style on the floor.https://t.co/sUFSilU3JG

— The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) September 28, 2023

"The Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that requires members to follow a dress code that will include a coat, tie, and slacks for men" https://t.co/CCIeUhqO53

— Sy Snyder (@PoliticsPA) September 28, 2023

Here’s what The Inquirer reported:

The shorts were short-lived.

The Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that requires members to follow a dress code that will include a coat, tie, and slacks for men, ending controversy triggered over Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman displaying his casual style on the floor.

“Though we’ve never had an official dress code, the events over the past week have made us all feel as though formalizing one is the right path forward,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. “I deeply appreciate Senator Fetterman working with me to come to an agreement that we all find acceptable, and of course I appreciate Sen. Manchin and Sen. Romney’s leadership on this issue.”

The issue of a Senate dress code first came up after Schumer directed the Senate’s sergeant at arms to stop enforcing the unofficial dress code earlier this month. The rule-change primarily impacted Fetterman, who had previously been casting votes from the cloakroom in shorts and a hoodie but not stepping onto the Senate floor.

thank goodness the Senate passed a dress code bill

Extremely important work being done /s

— criticalhitpls (@criticalhitpls) September 28, 2023

Per CNN:

The US Senate has passed a resolution formalizing business attire as the proper dress code for the floor of the chamber by unanimous consent.

This comes after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer chose to stop enforcing the unwritten requirement, and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman’s casual dress became a flashpoint in the Capitol.

The bipartisan bill from Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney requires that members abide by a real dress code – rather than an unwritten custom – when on the Senate floor, that includes a coat, tie, and slacks for men.

“Though we’ve never had an official dress code, the events over the past week have made us all feel as though formalizing one is the right path forward,” Schumer said. “I deeply appreciate Senator Fetterman working with me to come to an agreement that we all find acceptable, and of course I appreciate Sen. Manchin and Sen. Romney’s leadership on this issue.”

Before the measure passed, Fetterman told CNN’s Manu Raju that he would wear business attire when presiding over the Senate floor.