Owen Rightward
The US Senate, in a move championing tradition, unanimously endorsed a resolution solidifying business attire as the official dress code for the chamber. This decision follows a relaxed approach by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the notable casual attire sported by Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, which became a topic of discussion in Capitol hallways.
The resolution, presented jointly by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin from West Virginia and Utah’s Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, establishes a clear dress code. For male members, this translates to donning a coat, tie, and slacks when on the Senate floor. However, the resolution remains vague regarding the specific standards for female Senators.
Senate Majority Leader Schumer commented on the matter, saying, “Though a formal dress code was never officially in place, recent events have underscored the need to set one. I commend Senator Fetterman for his understanding and cooperation. I also extend my gratitude to Senators Manchin and Romney for steering this initiative.”
Before the resolution’s approval, Fetterman had informed CNN’s Manu Raju about his intent to stick to business attire while overseeing the Senate. Following the resolution’s passage, Fetterman’s office humorously responded with a viral meme featuring actor Kevin James.
This isn’t the first time Capitol Hill has tackled dress codes. In 2017, then-House Speaker Paul Ryan revised dress code rules after many congresswomen raised concerns over a rule prohibiting sleeveless outfits. Similarly, in 2019, attire guidelines for women in the Senate were updated, thanks to the efforts of then-Senate Rules Committee chair, Amy Klobuchar, allowing women the choice to wear sleeveless dresses.
