Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
September 19, 2023
The United States Senate dress code has been flushed down the commode simply to accommodate the nonconformity of ONE senator. Freshman Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is disgracing the history of the United States Senate. While many may feel the dress code is not important, a senator is not only representing him/herself, but the entirety of his/her state/commonwealth. Fetterman, in his signature gym shorts and hoodie, is an embarrassment to himself and the Senate.
Quite frankly, the ending of the dress code is part of the continuing decline of America. It demonstrates a pathetic lack of discipline and leadership, sending a bad message that slovenly appearance is acceptable. This is not a decline of standards, but a secession of standards. Elected officials who work in one of the most austere and iconic buildings in the history of this nation should lead by example, take pride in their appearance, and dress in a manner befitting their chosen job.
Former Michigan Congressman Justin Amash, a Republican turned Libertarian agrees. “Awful. The Senate chamber isn’t your home, a gym, or an outdoor park. If you can’t dress professionally for work on the floor of the Senate of the United States, then do us all a favor, and get a different job,” posted Amash on September 17 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
And it’s not as though the Senators work 24/7 or a grueling schedule so oppressive that business attire is impairing their ability to work. (Their lack of ability to work can be attributed to so many other legitimate reasons.) In fact, according to www.SenateCalendar.gov on September 19, the date of this writing, since the current session of the Senate convened on January 3, the Senate entered its 123rd day of work. The average American working a five-day work week would have already clocked in and out on 187 days. For the entirety of 2022, the Senate was in session for a grand total of 177 days while the average American labored 250 days, assuming two weeks vacation time. Fetterman can suck it up, put on a suit and represent himself and his constituents like a grown up.
“I think this is a step forward,” said senior reporter for The Root, Jessica Washington, on MSNBC. “I just don’t understand why you have to do the business of Congress - incredibly long hours, incredibly demanding - I don’t think it requires a suit,” continued Washington.
“This is about someone not taking it seriously,” said Emily Compagno, co-host of the Fox News Channel noon program “Outnumbered,” on Monday, September 18. “The decorum, the luxury of wearing a suit before the people and while you represent the people. Anyone can wear a hoodie,” continued Compagno.
“The Senate no longer enforcing a dress code for Senators to appease Fetterman is disgraceful. Dress code is one of society’s standards that set etiquette and respect for our institutions. Stop lowering the bar,” posted US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) on September 17 on X.
The current rules, in place for about 20 years, calls for business attire - a suit and tie, and concomitant attire for the female senators. It should be noted that this has been an unwritten dress code. Former Colorado Republican Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (1933 - ) required special dispensation to wear his traditional Bolo tie during his two terms in the Senate (1993-2005).
For those who think Fetterman’s stroke, suffered May 15 - two days prior to the May 17, 2022 primary, is an excuse for him to dress in shorts and a hoodie, he has been dressing this way since before he was the mayor of Braddock, PA. He has yet to grow up and buy himself a pair of big boy pants. Current Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), as well as former Senators Tim Johnson (R-SD) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) all suffered strokes and returned to work appropriately clad.
The United States Senate is often considered the most exclusive club in the world, and one should dress in a manner befitting such a position with dignity. “The US Senate is the world’s most deliberative body. To see it completely downgraded - no dress code now, I just think it’s another step in the wrong direction,” said Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN).
Senate Majority "Leader" Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is shameful for making this unilateral decision allowing Fetterman and, quite frankly, any of the other 99 senators to treat the Senate chamber like a gym or their own backyard raking leaves on a crisp fall afternoon. Schumer ordered the Senate Sergeant of Arms to suspend the dress code. “Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit,” said Schumer on Sunday, September 17 to Axios.
But others took advantage of their new wardrobe freedom with relaxed attire on Monday, the first day of the current unwritten policy. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) donned jeans and boots, sans tie, while Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) simply opted for no tie. Across the aisle, the gender aisle, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) wore a “quarter-zip and sneakers,” according to Forbes reporter Sara Dorn. And thus it begins.
Fetterman shows absolutely no respect for himself, his constituents, and the institution that is the Senate itself. Fetterman proved he simply doesn’t get it. “It’s a little more freedom, which I feel should be bi-partisan. I don’t know why the right side seems to be losing their minds over it - like - AAH (Fetterman screams with his hands over his ears) - dogs and cats are living together, like the world’s spinning off its axis. I think it’s a good thing,” he said.
And Schumer, occupying his Senate seat just shy of a quarter-century, is more to blame - placating a single senator, who, heretofore had been voting by standing in the Senate chamber’s doorway with one foot on the actual floor. Why change what apparently has been working?
“Is that all you’ve got to worry about, Chuck?” asked former House member Doug Collins (R-GA). “Let John Fetterman explain why he wants to dress this way to the American people. Why does everything have to go through the lowest common denominator? He has trouble answering questions. He has trouble making speeches. He has trouble performing the function of the job,” continued Collins on “Outnumbered” on Monday.
“We live in the United States of Attention, and I want the America part back,” said “Outnumbered” co-host Harris Faulkner.
While Senate staffers are still required to adhere to the now defunct dress code, Fetterman looks like a bum, a reprobate, or worse, a drug dealer in North Central Philadelphia. “I was a Capitol Hill staffer. You wear a suit, you look nice, you don’t want to embarrass your boss,” said Lisa Boothe, on “Outnumbered” on Monday. But, isn’t it just a testament to the lowering of standards in America? Nothing works anymore. People don’t go to the office. I just think it speaks to something deeper,” continued Boothe.
It does. Boothe is absolutely correct. It’s about the coarsening of America, the lack of respect people have for themselves, each other, and the institutions of this country as well as the flag and the founding documents that propelled this country on a path toward greatness. It didn’t happen overnight, but it sure seems to be slipping away in the blink of an eye. The out of control crime, an administration weaponizing its own justice department to attempt to silence and/or imprison its political opponents and their supporters like a banana republic are symptoms of a greater sickness - the loss of freedom. People had best remember the words of President Ronald Reagan from 1961.
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it, and then hand it to them with the well fought lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same. And if you and I don’t do this, then you and I may well spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it once was like in America when men were free.”
Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.
ADDENDUM: Ten days following the commencement of the dress code kerfuffle, the United States Senate officially adopted a dress code. In a letter sent to Schumer by 46 GOP senators, "The world watches us on that floor and we must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs."
With breakneck speed, as government goes, the resolution issued jointly by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) says: “...the term ‘Senate floor dress code’ means a requirement that business attire be worn on the floor of the Senate, which for men shall include a coat, tie, and slacks or other long pants…”
Prior to the vote Schumer, in part, said, “I appreciate Senator Manchin and Senator Romney’s leadership on this issue.” Of course, none of this would have been necessary had Schumer not unilaterally made the change in the first place.
Sanford D. Horn
