Fetterman defends Senate dress code change that allows him to ‘dress like a slob’
Peter Cordi
Video Embed
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) deflected criticism about how he dresses on Capitol Hill after the Senate suspended its traditional dress code requiring members to wear a jacket and tie.
In an interview with MSNBC host Chris Hayes on Monday, Fetterman discussed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) retiring of the Senate dress code, a move Republicans say was intended to appease the Pennsylvania senator known for his casual attire of shorts and a hoodie.
THE MCCORMICK-CASEY PENNSYLVANIA MATCHUP LINING UP TO BE BIGGEST SENATE RACE IN 2024
With all eyes on Fetterman following the change, the first-term senator said there are “more important things we should be talking about” than “if I dress like a slob” and shifted attention to one vocal critic: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
Fetterman pivoted in the interview, claiming Greene runs on a platform of “ding-a-ling” pictures, referring to an incident in which the congresswoman showed graphic images of Hunter Biden engaging in sexual activity at a public hearing.
He made a similar remark when Greene voiced her concerns over the relaxing of the Senate dress code on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“The Senate no longer enforcing a dress code for Senators to appease Fetterman is disgraceful,” Greene said. “Dress code is one of society’s standards that set etiquette and respect for our institutions. Stop lowering the bar!”
“Thankfully, the nation’s lower chamber lives by a higher code of conduct: displaying ding-a-ling pics in public hearings,” Fetterman said in response.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) also weighed in on the rule change, saying, “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.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
She mocked the new dress code, telling reporters she planned to “wear a bikini” to the Capitol, while Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joked about wearing a football “coaching outfit.”
“It bothers me big time,” Tuberville said. “You got people walking around in shorts. That don’t fly with me.”