John Fetterman weighs in on wearing casual clothes to Senate before donning suit after dress code reversal
WASHINGTON, DC: Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman recently shared that he often wore casual clothes to the Senate because of comfort and also because it is hard to get suits that fits his size.
While speaking to CNN's Manu Raju, Fetterman also mentioned that dry cleaning is expensive and that he does not believe clothes make a man.
The explanation came after the Senator was photographed wearing a formal suit and tie instead of his trademark hoodie and shorts in the wake of the US Senate passing a bipartisan resolution that mandated formal business attire as the dress code for the Senate floor.
Fetterman was seen walking into the Senate chamber on Thursday, September 28, wearing a black suit, white shirt and sky blue tie along with black sneakers.
Here's Senator John Fetterman, looking pretty dapper in his suit, as he prepares to enter the Senate chamber.
— The Shallow State (@OurShallowState) September 28, 2023
Fox News now has to scramble to replace several prime-time segments. pic.twitter.com/CDlV1MW99Q
What did John Fetterman say about wearing casual outfits?
Fetterman's use of casual outfits at the Senate often came under scrutiny before Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.VA) and Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) came together to lead the need for a formal dress code in the Senate.
This comes days after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer received immense backlash for eliminating the unwritten rule and allowing members to wear any outfit of their choice.
Shortly after the passing of the resolution, Fetterman weighed in on the reasons behind his previous use of casual attire at work.
"Comfort, basically," he admitted.
"It's kind of hard to find suits this size and I believe it's not the person that is made by how they dress as well too," Fetterman continued.
"I mean you are still willing to speak to me and I am in a hoodie and you are in a suit. If you would have showed up dressed up like Spider-Man I still would have been delighted to speak to you because I know you're a professional and I am delighted to do that," he explained.
"And particularly, our staffers are not well paid here in DC and they work very very hard and that is a major financial burden, including dry cleaning as well too," he added.
"I have a dynamic staff, I don't care what they are dressed in too. It's like as long as they are comfortable and continue to serve our nation," Fetterman concluded.
How did John Fetterman react to the formal dress code mandate?
After the passing of the resolution, Fetterman told CNN that he found the ongoing debate over the need of a formal attire in the Senate "mystifying" as there were other "important things" that should be addressed in the Senate.
However, he also mentioned that everyone has "moved on" from the situation. Fetterman also mentioned that none of his colleagues told him that "'the world will burn if you wear a hoodie' kind of thing."
Earlier this week, Fetterman called on his colleagues to have the same energy they had for the criticism of his clothing over New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez's bribery indictment.
"This week, I hope to see my colleagues fully address the alleged systemic corruption of Senator Menendez with the same vigor and velocity they brought to concerns about our dress code," he mentioned.
Hours before the resolution was passed, Fetterman told the outlet that he would wear a suit and tie while presiding over the Senate floor.