The US Senate voted unanimously in favor of a resolution that establishes business wear as the appropriate clothing for the chamber’s floor.
This comes after Democratic Sen. John Fetterman’s casual attire caused a commotion in the Capitol and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer decided to cease enforcing the unwritten rule.
A coat, tie, and slacks are required for men while they are on the Senate floor, according to the bipartisan legislation introduced by Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. What constitutes professional clothing for women on the Senate floor, however, is not stated in the resolution.
“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.
“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,” Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said in a floor speech on Wednesday. “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,” Romney said in his speech.
