Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania may have laughed off those who criticized him for showing up in gym shorts on the floor of the U.S. Senate, but Americans were not laughing.
After the Democrat-run Senate changed the dress code to accommodate Fetterman, so he could wear shorts and hoodies on the floor, the American public wasn’t laughing, and wondered where the dignity of the Senate had gone.
Wednesday, the Senate rolled back the relaxed dress code, and reinstated the formal dress code, which includes a suit and tie for men, in a resolution sponsored by Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat. The vote was unanimous.
“…business attire be worn on the floor of the Senate, which for men shall include a coat, tie, and slacks or other long pants…” the resolution reads. In other words, no hoodies and baggy shorts.
Fetterman released a statement saying he would wear a business suit, as now required, while on in the Senate chamber, but will continue to vote from the cloakroom when he is not in business attire. He made no mention about how he will dress in committees.
While running for office, the Harvard-educated Fetterman presented himself as a working class guy, wearing Carhartt brand rather than suits or even sports jackets. Fetterman’s campaign make light of the whole matter by selling t-shirts and other swap in its online store, with shirts quoting conservatives calling Fetterman’s attire “Disgraceful,” “Disgusting,” “Revolting Slob,” and “Crazy Stroke Victim.”
At one point in the political theater, an artificial intelligence-created depiction of Sen. Rand Paul was being passed around in social media, showing what appeared to be the senator from Kentucky in a red bathrobe, sitting on the steps of the Capitol. Sen. Paul joined in the joke by posting the comment, “I thought I was clear when I said no photographs.'”
