The Senate dress code is unnecessary and outdated.
As of Sept. 27, the United States Senate has officially ruled for a formal dress code in reaction to the attire of Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, which has gone viral.
Historically, there has been an unspoken rule in the Senate for professional dress code, which Fetterman challenged by wearing a hoodie and shorts.
The topic surrounding appropriate dress for the Senate seems to be an ongoing struggle in recent years, such as in 2017 when women had to fight to wear sleeveless dresses, which was then put into effect in 2019.
In a motion by Senators Joe Manchin and Mitt Romney, the SHORTS Act aims to achieve a required business attire look to the Senate. The actions of such like Fetterman seem to be the main proponents of this change, not only because the abbreviation of “SHORTS” seems to be a direct callout to his iconic dress, but the fact that the SHORTS Act does not mention women in any capacity.
The recent fight for women to wear sleeveless dresses identifies an ever-changing landscape of what is deemed socially acceptable for the representatives of the people, and even more so with the discussion existing now. Furthermore, the lack of description surrounding women within the SHORTS Act sets a precedent that the Senate is only dealing with dress code issues as they arise, clearly focusing its discussion around people like Fetterman.
The lack of a formal dress code sparked many instances of strong words, such as Sen. Susan Collins of Maine reportedly remarking during the debate, “I think there is a certain dignity that we should be maintaining in the Senate, and to do away with the dress code, to me, debases the institution,” before going further on to joke that she would wear a “bikini” to the Senate floor. Collins’s comment implies unforeseen consequences. “If we let hoodies and shorts pass, what next?”.
While Fetterman has laughed off the accusations of “debasing the institution,” the point remains that many Senators and people believe an official dress code is necessary for professionalism.
However, Fetterman seems to be increasingly popular with young voters, partly due to his attire and presence on TikTok. Through wearing casual clothes, he shows he is like the people he represents.
In contrast, senators, by donning expensive, professional clothing that is rarely worn by the average person, can promote a sense of separation between representatives and voters.
The establishment of a dress code can even be seen as a form of enforcing higher status and classism. Casual wear typically costs significantly less than the formal wear that only the wealthy wear. The SHORTS Act reinforces the existence of class in government through non-negotiable wear.
While a lack of a dress code can be seen as disrespectful to the institution of government, it must also be remembered that freedom of expression is foundational to America. The right for Fetterman to wear a pair of shorts should remain, not just for accessibility but for the representation of individuality.
