Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) is reportedly circulating a proposal to reestablish the Senate’s dress code, which Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) loosened in January to allow senators to wear whatever they want on the Senate floor.
The proposal, which is expected to be introduced as a resolution, would essentially return the Senate dress code to what it was prior to Schumer’s change, which required senators to wear coats and ties or business attire when on the Senate floor.
“Next week, Senator Manchin intends to file a bipartisan resolution to ensure the Senate the dress code remains consistent with previous expectations,” a Manchin spokesperson told reporters on Thursday.
Manchin has reportedly gathered support for the resolution from a number of Democratic senators, including Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said members who opposed the new dress code rules are “the coalition of the rational,” according to the report. Forty-six Republican senators, led by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), have already signed a letter to Schumer demanding that he reverse his “misguided” decision.
Fetterman presided over the Senate on Wednesday wearing a short-sleeve shirt, no tie. On Thursday, he wore the same casual attire for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Fetterman relayed to POLITICO that Manchin “just wanted to acknowledge that it wasn’t like a personal issue or anything like that. And of course, I said, ‘Absolutely. I get it.’”
Fetterman has taken to social media to advertise hoodies and other clothing that mocks his critics. He posted a statement on Wednesday stating what it would take for him to dress up.
“If those jagoffs in the House stop trying to shut our government down, and fully support Ukraine, then I will save democracy by wearing a suit on the Senate floor next week,” Fetterman said in a post to X.
Sen. Fetterman presides over U.S. Senate for first time since Sen. Schumer said Senate will no longer enforce its dress code for members pic.twitter.com/2epbmOoxmW
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) September 20, 2023
