On Monday, majority leader Chuck Schumer said that the Senate's official clothes police will no longer enforce a dress code on the Senate floor. This is welcome news for people like Senator John Fetterman, as he no longer has to vote from doorways so he doesn't get reprimanded for wearing his standard hoodie and gym shorts. Fetterman went on to say, "It's nice to have the option, but I'm going to plan to be using it sparingly and not really overusing it."
Now that senators have freedom of choice over their wardrobe with this relaxed policy, some folks, like Schumer have already said they will continue to wear a suit. However, Senator Susan Collins has protested the policy change and joked that she will wear a bikini.
And she's not alone, as many others in the Senate fear that to dress down would devalue the importance of the legislative body and their responsibility to American citizens. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma added to the discussion by saying "I hate wearing a tie and I'd rather be in blue jeans and a pair of boots and a white T-shirt. The fact is, you do dress for the job, and we need to be respectful of the position we hold and I totally disagree with what [Schumer] is doing here.''
This change in policy only applies to Senators and not staff.