Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who has drawn ridicule and policy changes in Congress for his notoriously casual attire, said Wednesday that American voters are not sending “their best and brightest” to Washington.
Fetterman, wearing his trademark hoodie and shorts on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” didn’t mince his words when the liberal CBS host asked him if he was glad the Senate isn’t the most dysfunctional branch of government be.
“That’s a low bar,” cracked Fetterman, who used a second screen for the caption after a debilitating stroke. Critics accused him of appearing incoherent and conspiracy theorists claimed he had a body double.
He apparently saved his harshest criticism for the Republicans, who he believed were putting the government in danger of being shut down.
“You all need to know that Americans do not send their best and brightest to Washington, DC,” the senator said. “Sometimes you just can’t believe that these people make the decisions that determine the government here. It’s really scary.”
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who has drawn ridicule and policy changes in Congress for his notoriously casual attire, said Wednesday that American voters are not sending “their best and brightest” to Washington
“I always tell people, ‘Don’t worry, please don’t worry.’ It’s a lot worse than you think.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer relaxed the chamber’s dress code in September, something that Fetterman — who dressed casually during his tenure as Senate leader to jokes from his colleagues — told Colbert he “never asked for.”
“When I knew this was going to be announced, I thought, Oh man, here it is,” he said. “But I was really struck by… ‘Oh my God, the world is going to burn because he’s going to wear a hoodie on the floor!’
As a joke, Colbert gifted Fetterman a tuxedo T-shirt so the senator could look formal and casual at the same time.
Fetterman has previously been forced to vote on the wings because he refused to dress appropriately. He said the clothes made him feel more comfortable and he received goodwill after treatment for depression earlier this year.
He also discussed his mental health and stroke recovery with Colbert and tried to push back against people who found him incoherent at times, including in a much-hyped debate with his opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz.
“The better I get, the sadder Fox News gets, because they love… every word I miss was like candy to Fox News.” They even started to think there was a conspiracy that I was now a body double have.’
Schumer’s dress code change – which applies to senators, not staff – now means the 54-year-old self-confessed “slut” can wear whatever he likes in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer relaxed the chamber’s dress code in September, something Fetterman — who dressed casually during his tenure as Senate leader to the jokes of his colleagues — told Colbert he “never asked for.”
Ever since Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer decided to scrap the “business” dress code, Fetterman has taken it quite literally
On Wednesday, Fetterman offered to “save democracy” as he vowed to wear a suit in the Senate next week, but only if House Republicans “stop trying to bring down our government.”
Schumer has stated that he will continue to wear a suit despite his prerogative to change the dress code
The move has infuriated Republicans who believe Democrats are degrading the hallowed institution.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine joked, “I plan on wearing a bikini tomorrow.”
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall said it was a “sad day in the Senate” and the people who represent Fetterman and Schumer should be ashamed.
“I represent the people of Kansas, and if I dress up to a wedding to honor the bride and groom, I go to a funeral and dress up to honor the family of the deceased,” Marshall said. Senators should have a certain level of decency, the Republican added.
Fetterman previously downplayed the controversy when he offered to “save democracy” by wearing a suit next week – but only if Republicans “stop trying to take down our government.”
Schumer later clarified in a statement that senators can now choose how they dress in the Senate, although he personally intends to continue wearing a suit.
When he agreed to the joke, Fetterman went for it
He still managed to have a bit of fun with the backlash he received when he reinforced the conspiracy that his body double was Homer Simpson
“An informal dress code was enforced,” Schumer said in a statement. “Senators can choose what they wear in the Senate. ‘I will continue to wear a suit.’
It’s unclear whether the rules for more formal attire have actually been written down anywhere, but Schumer’s directive means staff will no longer scold senators for their choice of attire or ask them to vote from the entrance.
Schumer has stated that he will continue to wear a suit despite his prerogative to change the dress code, but Fetterman has clearly taken this change seriously.
He still managed to have a bit of fun with the backlash he received when he reinforced the conspiracy that his body double was Homer Simpson.
When he agreed to the joke, Fetterman went for it
Fetterman also entered the Senate floor Monday night in casual clothing, taking care to avoid any cameras that might reveal his new fashion sense
Other members of the Senate mocked him for his casual clothing choices, such as Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who said, “I plan on wearing a bikini in the Senate tomorrow.”
Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota took advantage of the new dress code, wearing black pants, running shoes and a casual jacket; She speaks with Senator Mitt Romney on the Senate floor Monday evening
In the past, if a senator did not meet dress code requirements, he would have to shout “yes” or “no” from the door to make it clear that he was not visible to the cameras.
Although many have not listened to the rule change, some have decided to join in the casualness with Fetterman.
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar – traveling from Minnesota – and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski – traveling from Alaska – wore black pants, running shoes and casual shirts on Monday.