WRITTEN BY: Haley Dansby
Haley Dansby is currently the Political Content intern for See by Antigone. She is a Senior at The University of Oklahoma majoring in Political Science with a minor in Social Justice. After graduation in Spring of 2018, Haley hopes to continue to intersect her interests in society and law by attending law school with a focus in civil or human rights. In her free time, Haley loves to read, volunteer, participate in the arts, and spend time with friends and family.
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Back in June, House Speaker Ryan reiterated the rules of attire to House Members:
“Members should wear appropriate business attire in the House, however brief their appearance
on the floor may be.”
This has caused a new stir around the merits of what is deemed “appropriate business attire.”
Recently, women news reporters have been warned or barred from the chamber lobby for
wearing sleeveless dresses. Including warnings towards CQ Roll Call’s Kellie Mejdrich for her
attire. And the denial of entrance to the Speaker’s lobby on July 7 th for Haley Byrd, a reporter for
the Independent Journal Review.
According to CBS News, “Men are expected to wear suit jackets and ties in the House chamber
and Speaker’s lobby. Women, on the other hand, have been told they’re not allowed to wear
sleeveless blouses or dresses, sneakers or open-toed shoes (Shabad 2017).” A rule that extends
not only to the House Members, but also to reporters, staffers, and anyone else who may enter
into these spaces. But where does this rule come from? The only place which specifies any
official rules of attire can be found in the “Constitution Jefferson’s Manual and Rules of The
House of Representatives.”
Constitution Jefferson’s Manual and Rules of The House of Representatives
As the Speaker of the House, under Rule 2. Preservation of Order, “The Speaker shall preserve
order and decorum and, in case of disturbance or disorderly conduct in the galleries or in the
lobby, may cause the same to be cleared (335).” Previous rules of “appropriate attire” were
vague for men stating, “traditional attire…including coats and ties for male Members (337).”
These rules were even less clear when it came to women in the House, when the description of
what women Members should wear was simply “appropriate attire (337).” Later, the House
made a resolution on July 17, 1979 “(presented as a question of privileges of the House)
requiring Members to wear proper attire as determined by the Speaker (337).” Thus, giving full
discretion to defining the term “appropriate or proper attire” to the Speaker of the House.
Nevertheless, on July 12 th 2017, Republican Representative and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel
Martha McSally delivered a floor speech wearing not only a sleeveless dress but donned open-
toed shoes. She made no mention of her attire during her speech on first responders in her
Arizona district, but after finishing her message she stated:
“I want to point out I’m standing here in my professional attire, which happens to be a sleeveless
dress and open-toed shoes.”
Maybe it is time for the Speaker and House of Representatives to rethink the term “professional
attire” and update their rules of decorum to fit that of the 21 st Century.
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WRITTEN BY: Haley Dansby
Haley Dansby is currently the Political Content intern for See by Antigone. She is a Senior at The University of Oklahoma majoring in Political Science with a minor in Social Justice. After graduation in Spring of 2018, Haley hopes to continue to intersect her interests in society and law by attending law school with a focus in civil or human rights. In her free time, Haley loves to read, volunteer, participate in the arts, and spend time with friends and family.