Susan Collins jokes she will wear a bikini to Congress after dress code relaxed
Though there is no official dress code rule written for the Senate, the practice of wearing business attire has been around for decades
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Several Republican senators are quite unhappy that Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is taking a lax approach to Congressional dress codes – including Maine Senator Susan Collins.
Mr Schumer issued a new rule last Friday, allowing senators to wear whatever informal dress they desire to the Senate floor. It would allow Senator John Fetterman of Pennslyvania to wear his trademark hoodie and basketball shorts to the floor whenever he wants.
In response, Ms Collins mocked the rule, joking that she was planning to “wear a bikini” to Congress on Tuesday, NBC News first reported.
Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama made a similar joke, telling reporters he would wear “a coaching outfit” to the floor.
Ms Collins added: “I think there is a certain dignity that we should be maintaining in the Senate, and to do away with the dress code, to me, debases the institution.”
Though there is no written rule requiring senators to wear business attire, it has been an unspoken practice for decades.
In the past, when senators like Mr Fetterman wanted to vote on the Senate floor out of business attire, they would vote from the edge of the floor with one foot still in the cloakroom.
Although Mr Fetterman’s style is consistent, occasionally a vote will be scheduled in the middle of the day when senators are on the move either from running errands, going to the gym or travelling in and out of state.
Now, Mr Schumer’s updated rule, which took effect on Monday, will allow senators to participate fully without the need for professional attire.
The rule only applies to senators; staff members will still have to wear business attire.
But more than likely, most senators will remain in business casual or business attire when on the Senate floor to maintain a professional image.
Of course, Ms Collins was only joking about wearing the bikini – as she clarified to Fox News Digital on Monday.
Ms Collins told the online news site: "Obviously, I’m not going to wear a bikini. But the fact is, as I understand it, I could,”
The Independent has reached out to Ms Collins’ office for comment.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments