The US Senate resumes a debate that has been going on since its founding… about how to dress

Loose black shirt, shorts and sneakers in the same color. A style that would not attract attention unless worn by a senator in the halls of the US Capitol. U.S.

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Wearing these clothes, the Democratic senator for the state of Pennsylvania, John Fetterman, appeared at his office this Thursday, the 21st, considered a political outsider in the United States and perhaps the symbol of the new measure that governs the Legislative Power of that country.

This is because last Sunday the abolition of the mandatory wearing of a jacket and tie was announced, a measure that has generated intense debate in the North American country since the creation of the Senate.

From the proclamation of the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787, until the establishment of the Senate and House of Representatives on March 4, 1789, the Legislative Branch was a relatively informal institution.

Senators could be seen wearing everything from elegant evening suits to worn uniforms. Faced with this situation, which caused discontent among the most conservative politicians, such as the then president of the Senate – and future president of the country – John Adams, the legislators decided to establish a dress code.

Those who supported the measure claimed that it was necessary to maintain the dignity of the institution, while those who opposed it argued that it was a restrictive and even undemocratic decision.

John Adams was George Washington’s vice president, so he also served as president of the Senate. He would later become the country’s second president.

However, this code did not specify which clothes should be worn and limited itself to indicating that they were clothes that conveyed “decency and modesty”.

This changed in 1959, when a resolution was passed requiring senators to use “with suit and tie”. Once again, the argument of those who promoted the measure revolved around maintaining the dignity of the institution.

With the arrival of the new century, voices questioning the famous dress code began to be heard, increasingly louder, in the halls of the Capitol.

The measure began to be described as ranging from sexist, because the protocol was stricter for female senators than male senators, to discriminatory.

This led Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer to introduce a proposal in 2007 to eliminate the Capitol’s women’s code. The vote, however, ended with 53 votes to 47, giving victory to those who supported the measure’s permanence.

Then-Senator Barbara Boxer promoted a proposal in 2007 to eliminate the dress code for women on Capitol Hill. (TIM SLOAN/AFP/)

In 2023, however, with Democrats controlling the US Senate, the debate has suddenly resurfaced. From this position, senators from the current governing party promoted a resolution that ended up being approved by 57 votes in favor and 43 against.

The abolition of the code was announced on Sunday, the 17th, and the leader of the Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, was responsible for reminding the media throughout the week.

Schumer, who assured that he will continue to wear a suit during his parliamentary duties, recalled that senators will be able to dress however they want.

The measure, of course, did not go unnoticed and generated more than one statement against it from the Republican ranks.

Maine state representative Susan Collins, for example, joked to NBC that she would go to the Capitol in a bikini and described the measure as something that “degrades the institution”.

Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis stated in the same vein, arguing that the decision “dishonor”to a prestigious institution.

His supporter, North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer, went a step further and assured that Democrats were trying to “turn the United States Senate into a sports bar.”

Senator Collins joked that she would go to the Senate in a bikini after the dress code was abolished. (TING SHEN/AFP/)

The one who liked the measure like a glove was, without a doubt, Senator John Fetterman. The Pennsylvania representative stood out during the election campaign for his peculiar way of dressing.

From jeans to polo shirts, hoodies or work boots, Fetterman completely broke the image of the traditional politician and projected it closer to that of his voters.

Senator Fetterman, during his inauguration in January 2023, was visibly uncomfortable with the clothes he was wearing. (OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP/)

Fetterman has defended his style, ensuring that it is an expression of his identity and that it is aligned with the policies he defends. The progressive politician was soon considered an outsider and won more than one vote because he was considered more authentic than the others.

Regarding the announcement of the abolition of the dress code, the senator described it as positive because he guarantees that it provides “a little more freedom”in a chamber where the average age exceeds 65 years, and added that“the right seems to be losing its mind”With the topic.

Source: Elcomercio