Fetterman responds to new Senate dress code with meme

After the Senate passed a resolution Wednesday formally requiring men to wear a coat, tie and slacks or other long pants, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) responded with a popular meme.

Fetterman’s press release featured a bemused-looking photo of actor Kevin James, shrugging with his hands in his pockets.
Memes including the former King of Queens actor have been “taking over the internet” of late, Time magazine reported just this week.

The Senate’s move comes after backlash to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s earlier move to lift the chamber’s informal dress code, which had allowed Fetterman to dress more casually. Fetterman has worn casual clothing, including shorts, on the Senate floor.

Fetterman’s dress had drawn backlash from both sides of the aisle, including Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va), who led the resolution along with Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah).

“As senators, we should demonstrate a high level of reverence for the institution in which we serve — and our attire is one of the most basic expressions of that respect,” Romney said.