Senator Susan Collins threatens to wear a bikini to work. Because? Because Chuck Schumer has done something that threatens the very fabric of the republic: relax the Senatedress code in a measure that would allow lawmakers like Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman accept your affinity for casual clothing without violating protocol.
On Friday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) officially changed the rules regarding what is considered appropriate attire for members of the upper house, instructing the Sergeant at Arms to stop enforcing guidelines requiring business attire in the room. Casual attire previously constituted a dress code violation that would have prevented a senator from fully entering the chamber, forcing them to vote with one foot out the door.
Fetterman’s relaxed style has been part of his image throughout his political career, and after taking a medical break of Congress In seeking treatment for clinical depression, he clearly decided to prioritize comfort over disguise. Schumer’s move, which made no direct reference to the Pennsylvania senator, has angered some of the most vocal Republicans both inside and outside Congress, and drawn criticism of Fetterman.
“I plan to wear a bikini tomorrow on the Senate floor and Chris Coons will wear shorts because there is no longer a dress code,” said Sen. Collins (R-Maine). said Tuesday. All we can say is that it would be quite a spectacle.
Fetterman’s style is “the sloppiest a person would dress, even if they were going to the gym alone.” said Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), accusing Schumer’s decision of having “degraded” the Senate.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) complained in X (formerly Twitter) that “the Senate no longer enforcing a dress code for senators to appease Fetterman is shameful. The dress code is one of the standards of society that establishes etiquette and respect for our institutions. Stop lowering the bar! Greene, a model of etiquette and social graces, has demonstrated in the past his respect for our institutions by booing loudly President Biden during his State of the Union Addressesbut it’s okay, at that time I was wearing a fur coat.
Florida Governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis also attacked Fetterman, accusing him of wearing “sweatshirts, hoodies and shorts” in a way that was “disrespectful” to the Senate. “We need to raise our standards in this country, not dumb them down,” the former member of Congress added.
But Fetterman has never been one to ignore criticism. “I dress like he campaigns,” he tweeted, referencing DeSantis’ lackluster performance as a candidate in the 2024 primary. The Pennsylvania senator made a similar criticism of professional pollster Nate Silver, who complained about the amount of coverage he was receiving the rule change. “I dress as you predict” he wrote.
In another post, Fetterman responded to Fox News’ criticism of him by digging into the network’s coverage of Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who was recently expelled of a performance by beetle juice musical after vaping, causing discomfort and getting a little too intimate with his date while he was at the hearing.
“I figure if I start vaping and grabbing the pig during a live musical, they’ll make me a folk hero,” Fetterman. wrote in X.
Fetterman weighed in on the dress code change Tuesday. “I feel like it’s a little more freedom, what bipartisanship should be,” he said. told Fox News while sporting a short-sleeved button-down shirt and shorts while in the halls of the Capitol. “I think it’s a good thing, but I’ll use it sparingly,” she added. “I hope other colleagues take advantage of it too.”