Women who work in the Missouri House of Representatives will face a stricter dress code when they return to the floor this week after an argument that Democrats panned it as a pointless distraction from the problems facing the state.
The new rules require female legislators and officials to wear outerwear such as cardigans and blazers. Republican lawmakers who introduced the change said it was done to ensure civility and reflect the dress code for men. He said it should not be done.
Republican Rep. Anne Kelly, who introduced the amendment, said she would clean up the wording of the current House rule so that the women’s dress code mirrored the men’s dress code.
“It is essential to maintain a formal and professional atmosphere on the floor of the House of Commons at all times, and to ensure this happens, I felt compelled to submit this amendment,” she said Wednesday. I said it during the discussion on the floor.
Her first amendment stated that women were required to wear business attire, specifically “jacket” which included “blazers and knitted blazers”. After much debate, an amendment was adopted to clarify that cardigans can also be worn.
Men in the Missouri House of Representatives were already required to wear jackets, shirts, and ties. The previous dress code required women to wear “a dress or skirt or slacks with a blazer or sweater and appropriate dress with her shoes or boots”. I didn’t need a second layer of clothing.
Kelly said ensuring politeness was the main reason for her proposal. This is an idea adopted by Democrats.
“I’ve seen a lot of disrespect in this room in my two years here, but I’ve never had a disrespect that was fueled by someone’s blazer or lack thereof,” Democrat said. Rep. Ashley Orne said. “There are many ways to break the courtesy in this room. But what the women are wearing is ridiculous.”
Aune went on to say that she was personally asked about her attire, even though she followed the rules.
“You know what it’s like to have a bunch of men in this room looking at your top and trying to decide if it’s right for you?” she said.
Virginia Ramsayer-Winter, associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Health and director of the Center for Body Image Research and Policy, said lawmakers shouldn’t have discussed this. problem.
“I think it reinforces the idea that women’s looks are more important than other, more important things like intelligence and contribution,” she said.
Ramsayer-Winter and other critics of the bill said the debate mirrored debate over abortion restrictions lawmakers approved after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer. .
“I think it’s also sending the message that women’s bodies need to be policed,” she said.
Democratic Rep. Rachel Proudy challenged the amendment before it was amended to include “cardigan.” She pointed out that it would not be easy for pregnant women to follow. Especially in pro-life states, it can be very uncomfortable. ”
The dress code was just one part of a set of rules finally approved by state legislators last Wednesday.
“There are some very serious things in this package of rules that I think should be discussed, but instead we are again fighting for a woman’s right to choose something. It’s a way to cover yourself,” Proudy said.
Legislators in other states have opposed the dress code rules, calling them sexist and culturally insensitive. It caused controversy in 2017 before it was released.
A Missouri Republican said criticism of the dress code went too far.
Republican Rep. Doug Ritchie said, “It’s a normal process for any organization when it comes to professional work environments. We just happen to have a political context that we have to navigate.” So it’s ripe for some members to stand up and try to make it not what it is.”
Still, Democratic Rep. Peter Merides refused to vote on a dress code amendment because he didn’t want to dare say what was appropriate or inappropriate for women to wear. are 116 people.
“This is ridiculous,” he said. “Our people sent us here to pass a law…not to dispute any obligations or rules regarding women’s clothing.”
