Democrats in the Missouri House of Representatives had a meltdown this week over Republicans’ attempts to clarify the House dress code.
Republican Rep. Anne Kelly has proposed tweaking the House’s existing dress code, which requires women to wear a blazer with a dress, skirt, or slacks and wear dress shoes or boots. .
“All we’re going to do today is take the same rules that we have and make them clearer,” said Rep. Brenda Shields (R).
The dress code for men, which requires “business attire including coat, tie, dress pants, dress shoes or boots,” was not changed.
Democrats were quick to attack, accusing Republicans of sexism.
Democratic Rep. Pete Merides said, “Today we are debating house rules in Congress. The first amendment proposed by Republicans concerns making the rules women have to wear here tougher. It’s something,’ he said. in a tweet.
“Yeah, the caucuses that were racking their brains over the suggestion that we should wear masks during the pandemic to respect the safety of others are now finessing what women must wear ( I spend a lot of time focusing on (especially the way I cover my arms) and pay my respects here,” he continued.
Rep. Ashley Orne, another Missouri Democrat, called the rule clarification “ridiculous.”
Merides tweeted a clarification that “rule changes by Missouri legislators Anne Kelly and Brenda Shields have allowed cardigans to count as blazers, actually loosening the dress code for women.” was flagged by Twitter moderators for
Kelly said he would not back down.
“I got a lot of hateful calls, emails and messages about this proposed amendment. Funny thing is we already have a dress code so all we have to do is fix the error and clarify the rules. I did,” she claimed in a Facebook post.
“How can it be wrong to encourage professionalism? If there’s a time to honor tradition and be professional, it’s on the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives. Standing up for these things. I do not intend to apologize for
