McConnell scoffs at Senate dress code change, says lawmakers 'ought to dress up'

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday expressed frustration with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's decision to relax the dress code for the upper chamber, a move many attributed to Sen. John Fetterman's, D-Penn., penchant for wearing a hoodie and exercise clothes on the floor.

Traditionally, Senators were required to don a coat and tie to proceed to the Senate floor. Under Schumer's directive, however, the dress code will no longer apply to Senators, though their staff will be required to adhere to the conventional dress requirements.

"I think I'm pretty safe in saying most if not all Republican senators think we ought to dress up to go to work. So I can't imagine that we’re going to be wearing jeans on the Senate floor anytime soon," he told reporters.

Schumer announced earlier this week that "[s]enators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor," but insisted he would continue to wear a suit.

Other senators have scorned the decision to abandon the dress code. Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins on Tuesday told reporters "I plan to wear a bikini tomorrow to the Senate floor," apparently joking.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.