Previously, if senators did not adhere to the dress code, they were required to stand on the periphery of the chamber, signaling their vote from a distance while having one foot on the senate floor and another in the cloakroom. However, with the change in policy, senators can now choose their own attire while inside the chamber.

Schumer’s Statement and its Implications

In a statement to Axios, Schumer clarified that senators are now allowed to choose what they wear on the Senate floor, but he himself will continue to wear a suit. This change applies only to senators, as staff members are still required to adhere to the previous dress code rules. For men, this typically involved wearing a suit and tie on the chamber floor.

The new dress code policy, effective this week, has stirred up controversy in U.S. politics. Republicans, in particular, have taken to social media to express their disapproval of the change. Monica Crowley, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury turned podcast host, called Fetterman a “revolting slob” and criticized the shift as a degradation of a venerable institution and symptomatic of America’s decline.

Republican Criticism and Disapproval

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green voiced her disapproval on social media, calling the Senate’s decision to abandon the dress code to appease Fetterman disgraceful. She argued that dress codes establish standards of etiquette and respect for institutions like the Senate, emphasizing the need to uphold these values.

Stephen Miller, former adviser to Donald Trump, echoed this sentiment, expressing his concern that the entire Senate is compromising its history and debasing itself to accommodate Fetterman’s casual attire. He questioned whether any senator would oppose this perceived humiliation.

Meanwhile, former United States Rep. Justin Amash, once a Republican before switching to the Libertarian party, weighed in by criticizing Fetterman’s attitude towards the dress code change. Amash stated that if someone cannot dress professionally for work on the Senate floor, they should consider a different job.

Reactions and Response

Fetterman’s director of communications, Joe Calvello, responded to the dress code change with a playful comment referring to a conspiracy theory that Fetterman has a body double. Calvello joked that Fetterman’s body double will no longer need suits, sparking amusement among supporters.

Thus far, the response from Democrats regarding the dress code change has been limited, with little comment on the matter. Fetterman himself has yet to publicly address the change. Newsweek has reached out to his office for comment but has not received a response.

The controversy surrounding the Senate’s dress code change showcases the deep divisions and political clashes within U.S. politics. While some argue for the importance of maintaining professional attire, others support Fetterman’s preference for casual clothing as a reflection of modern norms and a departure from traditional protocols.

In the end, whether this change will promote a more inclusive and modern Senate or lead to further divisions remains to be seen. However, it is evident that Fetterman’s choice of clothing has ignited a fierce debate within and beyond the hallowed halls of the Senate.