Senate Republicans press Schumer to reverse relaxed dress code

A group of 46 Senate Republicans sent a letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday asking that he reverse his decision to relax the Senate dress code.

Schumer announced the change Sunday, allowing senators to wear what they want on the chamber floor. Men were previously required to wear jackets and ties, and business attire for women.

“Allowing casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve and the American families we represent,” the group wrote.

The letter, led by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), was signed by almost every Republican senator. Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) did not.

The group of lawmakers argue that the Senate floor, a “place of honor and tradition,” deserves the respect of a dress code.

“The world watches us on that floor and we must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs,” the letter reads.

The dress code change does not require senators to change how they dress — just gives them the option. Schumer said he will continue to wear a suit for work.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who notably prefers sweatshirts and shorts over jackets and ties, celebrated the change Tuesday.

“America … it’s about freedom and choice,” Fetterman told The Hill. “It’s like [a] Burger King ‘You Rule’ kind of a thing.”

Much of the backlash against the change is focused on Fetterman, though he denied being the driver for the effort.

Some Democrats have also been unhappy with the new dress code.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) told The Hill on Tuesday that he brought the issue up with Fetterman himself, calling the dress code change “wrong” and saying it “degrades” the Senate floor.