AMAC Members Sound Off on New Senate Dress Code

AMAC members are familiar with the weekly poll on our website where we ask their take on an issue or item in the news. But it is the comments section where members can really sound off. A good week has 500-700 comments. However, this week we garnered over 1,000 comments. 

Our ask this week was about Senator Chuck Schumer’s unilateral elimination of the U.S. Senate dress code to accommodate the one member who wears gym shorts and hoodies each day—Senator John Fetterman (D-PA).  Of the nearly 39,000 votes, over 36,000 voted it to be a travesty.

The theme easily spotted in the comments was how this change shows disrespect for the institution, and indeed all of us. Here’s a selection of nearly 40 of the over 1,000 comments from AMAC members, in their own words:

“Sen. Fetterman dressing this way shows he does not have respect for the office he holds, the U.S. government, or the people he serves.” – Daryl G.

“When teachers started to dress like this, respect from their students followed.  Respect for the Senate, especially by changing their rules for this show their disrespect for us also.” – Bob A.

“Typical of the U.S. today. One person’s beliefs/desires supersedes all other’s beliefs/desires.” – Sands

“I’m from PA, and I’m embarrassed to see him represent my state.” – Sara

“The tolerance of bad behavior is the downfall of civilized society.” – Kenneth H.

“When our school dropped its dress code behavior nosedived. Mom always said if you dress like a bum, you act like one.” – Bruce D.

“This is no surprise. The Democrats have been marginalizing our institutions for years—they finally got around to the Senate.” – Vincent

“The new world disorder.” – David

“If Fetterman is qualified to serve in the Senate, he’s qualified to observe the proper customs. Sadly, Schumer is a coward while Fetterman is a clown.” – Patti

“Pitiful.  Just pitiful.”- Marty M.

“Exemplifies the lack of honor and gratitude these public servants have for America.”– Gary K.

“Fetterman is a slob.” – Monique

“These are supposed to be professional people. Act like it instead of being sloppy.” – Mary

“Beyond disgusting.” – Janis

“Sen. Fetterman has no business being a U.S. Senator.” – Ray

“Yet another example of the joke the U.S. government has become.” – Joel

“Sharp looking business casual isn’t the end of the world, but anything less than that makes it seem like the job is unimportant and not worth the effort. Gym shorts and a hoodie should definitely not be allowed— right up there with pajamas.” – Mike G.

“Everyone in PA should be so ashamed.” – Michael

“Just like wearing a uniform in school, it puts your mind and body into the correct mode for a successful day.” –  Mo I.

“If he doesn’t want to dress for work then place him on the unemployment line.” – Dean H.

“Rather than encouraging excellence we are now aiming down to the lowest common denominator.” – Tom G.

“It’s part of the continued destruction of the American culture and values.” – Spartan D.

“What one wears on the outside will be a motivating factor regarding what one thinks and says, as well as how one behaves.” – Steven T.

“If he can’t function without dressing like he is going to a gym, then he should step down from his lofty position.” – Phyllis B.

“Fetterman has a trust fund and will inherit enough money to live comfortably the rest of his life. It’s dishonest to fall for the argument that he dresses like his constituency and like the people who elected him.” – Lisa K.

“I didn’t have very much respect left for elected officials. This seals the deal.” – J. Van Horn

“Schumer and his client Fetterman represent the insidious destruction of decorum.  The lowest and most depraved will be honored.” – Freespeech

“When you expect less from people, you get less.” – Edward

“One more example of the Left kowtowing to the 1% and forcing the 99% to accept it and admire it.” – Theodore W.

“I work in healthcare. Doctors showing up in gym shorts wearing a white coat are very unprofessional, and I have witnessed patients telling them so!” – Cindy G.

“Where are the real men of this country? Certainly not in the halls of Congress.” – Andrew S.

“Who remembers dressing in your ‘Sunday best’ or not being admitted to a fancy restaurant because you did not have a jacket? Have we lost all decency?” – Richard

“Diminishes our already weakened position in the world.” – C. Walker

“A total disgrace and Schumer should be held responsible for degrading the Senate by letting Fetterman to continue to dress like a slob!”

“I got the impression that this change in decorum has nothing to do with the man’s disability and everything to do with thuggery. What an irony that the party so obsessed with the rioters of January 6^th as a threat to democracy elected a similar man to a Senate seat from PA and changed Senate rules to accommodate thug-like behavior.” – Richard W.

“The U.S. Senate members are supposed to be leaders. Their activities are video broadcast all over the world. This dress code sends a powerful message to the entire world— it says we are lazy and have no self-respect.” – Bob in NC

“Normal people would dress better for a backyard barbeque.” – Faye P.

“Schumer should be ashamed for his actions to downgrade the Senate in front of the whole world to placate the needs of an individual who looks like he just escaped from an Adams Family rerun.” – Mark B.

Jeff Szymanski works in political communications at AMAC, a senior benefits organization with 2.2 million members. He previously taught high school social studies for 15 years.