Sinema says people shouldn’t write about her attire

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) in a new interview scolded journalists who have written stories about her outfits, telling Politico that people shouldn’t write about the clothes she wears on the Senate floor.

Sinema’s clothing has been put under the microscope by a number of writers, including those covering fashion. She has stood out from her mostly male colleagues and has faced criticism and praise for her colorful wardrobe and style.

“It’s very inappropriate. I wear what I want because I like it. It’s not a news story, and it’s no one’s business,” Sinema told Politico.

“It’s not helpful to have [coverage] be positive or negative. It also implies that somehow women are dressing for someone else,” she added.

When Sinema voted against raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour in March, critics attacked her for her outfit and handbag during the vote.

Sinema has been in the spotlight all year as one of two centrist Democratic senators pressing for cuts to what was a $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package covering climate change measures and social spending provisions on child care, health care and other issues. 

The package has now been cut down to $1.75 trillion, and the House may vote on the measure this week. 

Sinema opposed raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy to help pay for the package, arguing it would hurt the economy.

The Arizona senator rarely speaks to reporters, and the interview was uncommon in giving a glimpse of what she thinks of some of the coverage about her.