Democratic senator on new dress code: ‘I don’t like it’

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) has joined some of his congressional colleagues in criticizing the Senate’s new informal dress code.

“I don’t like it,” Kelly said when asked by CNN anchor Jake Tapper about the updated dress code. “I think it would’ve been better if we had a discussion about it ahead of time.” 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced over the weekend that the Senate will ease up on the chamber’s informal dress code, permitting senators to wear whatever they want on the floor. This means lawmakers will no longer have to poke only their head and arm into the chamber to vote if wearing shorts or gym clothes. 

The change was met with some criticism from both sides of the aisle, with some pointing the finger at Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who is often spotted on Capitol Hill wearing shorts and hoodies instead of suits. 

Fetterman has denied he was a driving force behind the change in rules. 

Speaking with Kelly, Tapper appeared to mock the changes, asking the lawmaker, “I wonder what you thought of Schumer changing the Senate dress code. It will accommodate what can perhaps best be called the ‘broski takes the garbage to the curb on Sundays’ outfits that Sen. Fetterman from my beloved commonwealth of Pennsylvania favors.”

A group of 46 Senate Republicans sent a letter to Schumer on Tuesday asking that he reverse his decision, arguing the Senate floor is a “place of honor and tradition.” 

Kelly is not the only Democrat to have pushed back against the change. 

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) told The Hill on Tuesday he spoke with Fetterman and told the Pennsylvania lawmaker he thought the changes to the dress code were “wrong” and that not wearing a traditional suit and tie on the Senate floor “degrades” the chamber.