Despite looming sequester cuts set to take effect at the end of the week, House Speaker John Boehner found time to scold House members on their questionable work attire.
Speaker Boehner reminded lawmakers to follow the dress code of the House. Members “should wear appropriate business attire during all sittings of the House however brief your appearance on the floor might be. You know who you are,” Boehner warned on Tuesday.
According to Politico, members of Congress have been spotted wearing baseball jerseys, caps and jeans on the House floor–violating the strict dress code.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., suggested Boehner should have spent his time focusing on the sequester instead of their wardrobes. Swalwell tweeted:
Speaker Boehner won’t propose anything to stop sequester.But right now he is on @housefloor explaining dress code. #timetowork #imready
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) February 26, 2013
Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., claimed on Twitter the sequester could be blamed for the House fashion faux-pas.
Looks like #sequester is already hitting wardrobes of Members of Congress. I saw ppl wearing jeans & khakis on House floor.
— Justin Amash (@repjustinamash) February 26, 2013
The official rules of the U.S. House of Representatives call for a businesslike dress code. “Members should dress appropriately which has traditionally been considered to include a coat and tie for male Members and appropriate attire for female Members,” the House rulebook explains. Sporting overcoats or hats on the floor are also forbidden. As for the use of any cellphones or laptops, forget about it–they are strictly banned as well.
Boehner issued a similar friendly reminder in January 2012, following former Rep. Gabby Giffords tearful farewell.
Eric Benson