Manchin circulates proposal to reverse Schumer on dress code

[Polybius]

Source: The Hill

Centrist Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is circulating a proposal to reestablish the Senate’s dress code, which Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) loosened over the weekend to allow senators to wear whatever they want on the Senate floor, according to senators familiar with the proposal.

One person familiar with the resolution said it would essentially return the Senate dress code to what it was last week, which required senators to wear coats and ties or business attire when on the Senate floor.

“I’ve signed it,” said one senator, who explained it would “define what the dress code is.”

Schumer’s decision appeared aimed at catering to first-term Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), whose hoodie was a signature look on the campaign trail in 2022 and who wore a dark short-sleeved collared shirt and dark shorts to work Thursday.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4216746-manchin-circulates-proposal-to-reverse-schumer-on-dress-code/

[leftieNanner]

1. I'm a bit of a traditionalist

I like the professional dress code.

Don't think Senators should be able to wear gym clothes or other casual wear in the Capital.

[Hope22]

4. When people act in a professional manner

Then I think we can talk about people who don’t dress in a conventional manner. The person at the heart of this conversation was elected wearing a sweatshirt and shorts! It’s not like he recently invented his style.

[leftieNanner]

9. Of course not

But I think respect for the office is important too. Although there are lots of well dressed idiots in both houses of Congress.

[oldsoftie]

22. No one has to wear a $2000 suit. But looking slovenly shouldn't be allowed.

Its simply disrespectful to the office. Just as Trump was disrespectful to HIS office on so many occasions; which we all pointed out here. Why SHOULD Fetterman get to show up like he did the other day? Having a stroke doesnt impair your ability to choose a wardrobe.

Dont forget, Jim Jordan has been slammed here many times for simply not wearing a coat over his suit.

[Tumbulu]

24. Agree!

Thanks for articulating my thoughts exactly!

[PatSeg]

32. Exactly

Jim Jordan without his jacket on the floor has driven me nuts, so I'm not about to overlook Fetterman's hoodie and shorts.

[Seeking Serenity]

54. No, eff that!

Fetterman can wear whatever the heck he likes AND we condemn and call for Jim Jordan's resignation for not dressing appropriately.

Democrats have GOT to quit playing THEIR game by THEIR rules. One set of rules, lightly applied, for us, another set, strictly applied, for them. It's called 21st century politics.

[PatSeg]

59. Yes, I don't intend to behave like republicans

They are the ones who believe in two sets of rules - one for them and another for Democrats. I believe one shows their respect for the office by their words, deeds, and appearance on the floor of the Senate or House, regardless of their party.

[Seeking Serenity]

60. "They are the ones who believe in two sets of rules - one for them and another for Democrats."

Then let's fight fire with greater fire. This is all about WINNING, not playing by "don't hit a man when he's down," Marquis of Queensbury rules with one hand tied behind our backs.

As former AG Eric Holder said, when they go low, we KICK them!

[PatSeg]

61. I have mixed feelings about that

I'm all for getting a bit more confrontational and aggressive, but I don't ever want to be like them. We need to improve our messaging, which I feel like we are doing, and call them out every time they are dishonest and unethical. And we need to quit apologizing for being on the right side of history, which I also feel like we are doing more often.

[BlueIn_W_Pa]

33. Absolutely

and I'm here in PA with Fetterman.

[oldsoftie]

47. Thank you for helping keep Oz OUT!

[hlthe2b]

25. Please don't attack the poster for merely having a differing opinion.

They are not being "petty," but expressing their opinion--even while many may disagree.

[sybylla]

41. Then maybe they can explain how

dressing up in a suit and wearing your christianity on your sleeve while doing nothing to respect the office or honor Jesus is okay for pukes but doing real work and dressing for a long day of it while getting criticized for it isn't petty.

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

50. They "honor" their demigod

By hating on foreigners like he did.

And promoting divisiveness like he did.

And being disrespectful to women like he was (had someone else tell his mama she wasn't his family so he could keep partying).

Oh--and they all want to harm all the people who disagree with them forever, just like their two-bit demigod did.

Sounds to me like they honor their deity just fine by emulating him so well.

[marybourg]

15. I agree, and I don't like the personal attacks

on you, rather than on your position. There’s too much of that here on DU lately.

[PatSeg]

31. I agree with you

I am frequently critical of some republicans for how they dress on the floor, especially in the House, so it would be hypocritical of me to give Fetterman a pass. I love him, but his attire is disrespectful to the office.

[leftieNanner]

11. Quit attacking me.

[hlthe2b]

26. This is becoming abusive to that other poster with whom you disagree. Please stop.

[Grins]

44. Schumer handed the Republicans a club...

...to beat Democrats in the media.

There was no reason for him to do this, and fer' Chris' sake - THE OPTICS!
It allowed the kleig lights to come off Republicans and onto Democrats.

"Can't anybody here play this game?" - Casey Stengel, 1962

[Novara]

62. I don't understand why Schumer did this in the first place.

A change to casual wasn't necessary, IMO.

I mean, for fuck's sake, Tammy Duckworth doesn't have legs and she dresses professionally. Why was it necessary to paint a huge culture war target on the Dems' backs in the first place?

[Miguelito Loveless]

52. Funny, all of the criminal I see in court are wearing suits

As are the people stealing my wages, poisoning my air/water, gouging me for health care, sticking me with extortionate bank fess, and numerous other white collar crimes.

[Nixie]

66. Totally agreed.

His appearance takes the place of anything he says. I gasp when I see him so casual.

It makes me wonder what his wife has to say about it. If that was my husband, I would advise against his wearing gym clothes to the senate. I haven’t seen any place of employment where gym clothes are seen like that except athletes, of course. It’s just common sense. He should always be elevating himself, not detracting.

[summer_in_TX]

69. Fetterman may well have a stroke-related disability in dressing himself too.

My father-in-law had a stroke that left him a paraplegic. He occasionally wore a suit still, but he had a wife right there to help him manage. Otherwise he was mostly in loungewear.

[leftieNanner]

70. This I can accept and it makes sense

Thank you.

[Deuxcents]

2. Priorities. Good to see they're getting something done. 😠

[elias7]

3. I wouldn't mind seeing Gym Jordan in a jacket.

[DemocraticPatriot]

8. I don't give a shit whether Gym Jordan wears a jacket, or not---

I'd much more like to see him OUT of the house,

and he can wear whatever the fuck he wants on his way out!




How they VOTE, is much more important than WHAT THEY WEAR....

[DemocraticPatriot]

14. I wouldn't mind seeing Gym Jordan in---

nevermind..... speaking the truth here might earn my a "hide"!



JAJAJAJAJAA

[DemocraticPatriot]

5. Very petty, "little joe", very petty....

and does not seem in line with your previously expressed public sentiments about
bringing us together and meeting in the middle, blah blah blah....


Obviously Senator ManSinema is threatened by what other senators wear,
unless it is another former Democrat who tries to dress like Madonna, but fails.....


Guess he didn't have enough to do this week...

[PortTack]

16. Isn't he thou...you can put J manchin in a suit, but he's still trying to stab President Biden in

The back. Thinks he’s the big man on campus, saying he may run for president under the no labels Ticket, says he doesn’t support the president. Seems a suit didn’t improve his politics or help the American ppl.

So Fetterman doesn’t want to wear a suit….so, give 20 honest Fettermans without a suit to some Ahole that thinks the suit makes the man

[DemocraticPatriot]

6. sorry, double post, software failure...

It's ok, Manchinsinema, NOBODY wants to see you in shorts!

[JI7]

17. Isn't West Virginia really poor ?

[Botany]

19. And Manchin is killing them

With his shit coal and dirty power plant in Grant Town, WV.

[Think. Again.]

18. hmmm.....maybe....

....they could focus on doing the "People's Work" instead?

[no_hypocrisy]

20. Dunno. Teachers didn't become less effective in the classroom

when men were no longer required to teach in suits and ties and women only dresses or skirts.

[SouthernDem4ever]

28. Let's bring back the women wearing gloves while we're at it.

[Earth-shine]

21. Sinema already lowered the standards for dress.

[onenote]

29. And was roundly criticized here for doing so...

Jordan also gets criticized here for not wearing a jacket.

Seems like a bit of a double standard.

[Jose Garcia]

23. Dick Durbin isn't a fan of scrapping the dress code either:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehill.com/homenews/senate/4216039-durbin-no-2-senate-democrat-concerned-about-dress-code-change/amp/

[SouthernDem4ever]

27. C'mon Manchin, put on your yacht shoes and get over it

Isn't that what you wear most of the time anyway?

[SomewhereInTheMiddle]

30. I voted for Fetterman ...

... because of his policies, his history, and his connections - not because of his chosen attire. In fact, I voted for him despite his clothes choices on the campaign trail.

As a life-long democrat and one of his constituents - one of the people he is being paid to represent - I would rather he wear more formal attire while on the floor or in committee meetings. I would rather he represent me in at least business casual than in shorts.

Is what he wears more important than what he says or how he votes? Not at all.

But his personal presentation reflects on his constituents as well as himself. Like so many of us in our professional lives, he knew the dress code when he took the job.

While reasonable accommodations can be made for special needs, if his desired wardrobe is not medically required to help manage depression or other health needs, then I would like to see him dressed as I would if I were asked to attend a meeting at the Senate.

I am one of those he represents in the halls of power. I would rather he dress in a way that will not cause the others with whom he is negotiating to belittle him either openly or in their minds. It may put us at a disadvantage in those interactions. It also draws attention away from the work I voted him into office to do.

That is my personal opinion. I understand and accept that others will have different ones.

[Quickly crouches in a bunker and pulls on a hard hat.]

[BlueIn_W_Pa]

34. Same here in Pitt

As a life-long democrat and one of his constituents - one of the people he is being paid to represent - I would rather he wear more formal attire while on the floor or in committee meetings. I would rather he represent me in at least business casual

Appropriate dress shows respect for the office you hold.

[mentalsolstice]

37. He may have known about the dress code at the time

However, he may not known it’s effects of having to dress like that most of the day, everyday. I have read up on him a bit and while he had to wear conventional clothing at times, it appears he could dress in a way that was comfortable to him most of the time. https://du4.democraticunderground.com/100218288461

Hopefully the senate will work something out, it shouldn’t be that hard.

[cayugafalls]

35. This is America. Rather than doing the people's business, rethugs go after dress codes.

All while ignoring the Bimbert and the Filth in their own party.

As an aside, (stop reading if you trigger easy)

I wore regular business attire my whole life even though I preferred shorts and t.

I did not do it because I wanted to 'fit it' or 'go un-noticed' or 'blend in'...

I did it because at a very early stage of my career I learned that if I removed any 'visible triggers' when doing business dealings I could control the conversations and guide the meetings in a much more effective and efficient way.

Whether Congress has a dress code, I could care less. I am not in congress.

Senator Fetterman can dress as he pleases, this is America.

[Polybius]

43. "Rather than doing the people's business, rethugs go after dress codes"

This time it's Manchin, and Durbin agrees with him. From the main article:

But the decision to loosen the dress code is getting bipartisan pushback, including from Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.), who says the Senate should have standards.

“The senator in question from Pennsylvania is a personal friend, but I think we need to have standards when it comes to what we’re wearing on the floor of the Senate, and we’re in the process of discussing that right now as to what those standards will be,” Durbin told “The Briefing with Steve Scully” on SiriusXM’s POTUS channel.

“I think the Senate needs to act on this,” Durbin said.

[yaesu]

36. Who made wearing a suit Gods chosen wrap? Why not a dress?

How about a kilt?

[yardwork]

38. Obsessing over dress codes is the most Boomer thing imaginable.

And I'm a Boomer.

[wendyb-NC]

39. Oh, c'mon Senator Manchin

You can use your brains to bring up some legislation to help the American people, or reduce greenhouse gasses, or conserve pristine wilderness, or reduce childhood poverty. Think hard.

[NoMoreRepugs]

40. Centrist ManChin? Dress codes? Talk to me after the scumbags in Congress who supported a violent

insurrection against my Democracy are in orange jumpsuits. Get a grip people and concentrate on what's important not the next shiny object that flashes before you.

[Kid Berwyn]

42. One black ball and you're out of the club, Mr. Manchin.

?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp

No other club would want you or your yacht, either.

[mahina]

58. What a hideous thing

Him and his grotesque stinkpot

[Crowman2009]

45. If Manchin is so worried about "tradition", then why isn't he wearing a powdered wig and leggings?

Any other colonial fashions that I forgot to add? Please reply with any other long forgotten 1700's clothing traditions.

[Bayard]

46. I really admire Sen. Fetterman

I have no respect for Manchin.

However, I have to go with the Respect for the Office group. Professionalism. Being taken seriously, and representing Dems nationally, is more important than personal comfort. We can't afford to give any little thing to rethuglicans to exploit.

I'm betting Fetterman won't have much company in the very casual dress club.

[Magoo48]

48. Nothing JF does or does not wear is nearly as offensive as manchin's turncoat behavior.

[DemocraticPatriot]

53. AMEN!

And it just figures that Manchin would be the one to make an issue of this....

[LiberalFighter]

49. Need photoshops of Manchin in different attire.

[Joinfortmill]

51. Manchin seems more of a conservative Dem to me

[Crowman2009]

56. I wish none of them were in office anymore.

Luckily they aren't getting younger.

[Joinfortmill]

57. 👍

[Sgent]

55. Business casual

is a reasonable requirement IMHO. Maybe allow senators who need assistance with walking a little more leeway, but as someone who has had to dress a wheelchair bound person khakis and a collared shirt are no more difficult than sweats to put on (assuming you don't tuck them in).

[Redleg]

74. sounds good to me

[tavernier]

63. Take a break, Joe.

There’s no money in it for you regardless of what Fetterman wears.

[Fresh Water Falling]

64. Manchin Fiddles,

America burns.

[oasis]

68. Exactly!

[sellitman]

65. This isn't worth replying too.

Oops!

Totally unimportant IMHO.

So much wrong with the current state of affairs that this isn't even news.

[summer_in_TX]

67. As a stroke victim, it may well be that Fetterman is left with problems dressing himself.

Many stroke victims use clothing that is easy to take on and off. Sweatpants and so forth. With Fetterman's wife not there, he may have to wear things he can get on and off and manage by himself.

He is unusually big and I'm sure it's both time-consuming and expensive to get clothing made that fits him and follows the Senate's dress code. With his wife home with their kids, I can easily see how difficult he may have it with wearing a suit: buttoning shirts and cuffs, tying a tie, getting his pants up and fastened, putting on a belt, getting socks on and pulled up, shoes, jacket. My dad had trouble with those things and abandoned them in favor of sweats in his last years. Fetterman isn't rich and cannot afford custom-made clothes and a valet to help him dress, I'd guess.

It's an opportunity to educate Congress and the public about issues of accessibility and reasonable accommodations for certain disabilities. But I'd love to see this fine senator able to appear his best and take advantage of the regard people unconsciously have for a certain standard of dress.

If I had a business specializing in adaptive clothing, I'd see this as an opportunity to step up and help the Senator with clothes that he can get in and out of by himself but that look good on him and help keep his clothes from being a distraction or a barrier to working well with others on his issues and to successful re-election. They'd undoubtedly garner a lot of free media attention. I don't know if Fetterman could accept such clothing for free, if he'd need to at least pay company costs, or if friends and family could help make that happen for him.

[SomewhereInTheMiddle]

71. I agree to appropriate accommodations ...

... if they are needed for physical or mental health issues or challenges.

I don't agree to changing the sartorial culture if it is only to satisfy someone's clothing preferences.

As for costs, I was able to buy a couple of suits and some slacks and jackets as a teacher or civil servant making far less than a senator makes. They were not Brooks Brothers, but they met the professional standard.

I don't know which is the case here - need or preference. It makes a difference.

Given that I trust Fetterman's integrity enough to have voted for him, I should give him the benefit of the doubt in this case.

[summer_in_TX]

72. He is so large any suits must be custom made, I read somewhere.

I have no idea of the cost of custom-made suits. I understand he got one for his swearing in ceremony, so he has that one. Looked sharp in it too. But his wife was there for that event, so if he did need help with buttons and so forth, she was there.

But I don't know whether the stroke is an issue or not.

[Redleg]

73. I believe a more relaxed dress code would be appropriate

1. Don't require men to wear ties.
2. Don't require suit jackets or sports coats.
3. I am fine with slacks and dress shirt and comfortable shoes.
4. Hoodies and shorts might be a bit far but I'm not going to fight that battle here.