Dressing Down

The Senate has a new dress code. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( September 21, 2023 Good morning! The latest battle in the Senate isn’t over the potential shutdown or impeachment inquiry — it’s over the dress code. (Yes, really.) We’ve got [both sides of the heated sartorial debate.]( In other contentious fights, my fave culture connoisseur Evan Ross Katz breaks down [what is — and isn’t — a violation of the SAG-AFTRA strike](. We’ve also got a peek into [what led to Hugh Jackman’s divorce](. Read on…   In the News [Two images of ]( Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman putting the lax dress code to use. (KCM/Getty Images) Dressing Down As if lawmakers don’t have more important issues to figure out (like the looming government shutdown), they’re currently battling over their wardrobes, thanks to a recent change in the Senate’s dress code. While this disagreement may seem insignificant, it’s causing [some serious drama]( — more on that below. What changed? Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Sunday that the Senate is ditching its dress code on the chamber floor. It’s worth nothing that there wasn’t an official policy to begin with —just a few informal rules that lawmakers have been following for more than two decades. Why are senators fighting this time? Senate Republicans were infuriated by the news. They sent a letter to Schumer on Tuesday urging him to reverse his decision over concerns that the casual clothing “disrespects the institution we serve and the American families we represent.” Others took a more lighthearted approach, with Republican Sen. Susan Collins joking she’d wear a bikini to work. Could this shift be indicative of a larger trend? Plus, find out [how w]([omen and people of color have been unfairly impacted]( by Congress’ dress code rules. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics-and-policy%2Fsenate-dress-code-change%2F   More Stories [President Zelensky behind a desk with a sign saying ''Ukraine'' on it]( Getty Images Zelensky's warning: Ukraine's President Zelensky told the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday that Russia's veto power must be removed if it is to have any hope of resolving world conflicts. “Ukrainian soldiers are doing with their blood what the U.N. Security Council should do by its voting,” he said, adding: “Anyone who wants to start a war should see before their fatal mistake what exactly they will lose when the war would start.” Fresh accusations: Former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson has claimed in a new book that Rudy Giuliani groped her backstage at a rally on Jan. 6, 2021. “‘By the way,’ he says, fingering the fabric, ‘I’m loving this leather jacket on you.’ His hand slips under my blazer, then my skirt,” Hutchinson writes, according to an excerpt obtained by The Guardian. Giuliani's political adviser Ted Goodman called the claims a “disgusting lie.” Hutchinson's book, Enough, is due to be published next week. Disgraceful: An Ohio police chief has condemned the actions of two officers who told a concerned father that his 11-year-old daughter could face child porn charges. In a video captured on doorbell camera, an officer can be heard saying that the child “could probably get charged” if she made the images she was apparently manipulated into sending to a man online. The father replies "She's 11 years old," to which the officer responds: “Doesn’t matter. She’s still making porn.” Google under fire: The family of a man who allegedly drove off a collapsed bridge while following directions from Google Maps is suing the tech giant for negligence. According to the suit, the bridge had been defunct for five years, but Google failed to update its system. "I still can't understand how those responsible for the GPS directions and the bridge could have acted with so little regard for human life," his wife told the Associated Press.   Amp It Up It may seem impossible to make your favorite recipe even better, but sometimes a little something extra can really elevate a classic. Here are [5 ways Wonderful Pistachios can supercharge your next meal](, from the sweet to the savory and everything in between. [SEE MORE]( [Sponsored by Wonderful Pistachios](   Must-Reads [Hugh Jackman and Debbra Lee Furness]( A 'Broken' Marriage What causes a 27-year marriage to fall apart? We’ve got new insight into the reasons behind Hugh Jackman's shocking divorce. [Read More »]( [SAG-AFTRA Picketers]( Where We Stand It's time for an update on the Hollywood strike. Pop culture critic Evan Ross Katz and SAG-AFTRA leader Sarah Ramos explain it all. [Read More »]( [Man hand painting white line on the road]( High Standards Is your perfectionist streak a boon to your life, or an impediment to living happily? Here’s how to strike a healthy balance. [Read More »](   World Alzheimer's Day [Illustration of brain with one puzzle piece coming out]( KCM Today is World Alzheimer’s Day, which aims to raise awareness and challenge the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In keeping with that mission, we’re sharing some helpful resources. - Alzheimer’s and dementia are sometimes used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. So what, exactly, is the difference? We break it down [right here](. - It’s been traditionally thought of as an “old person’s disease,” but Alzheimer’s can start manifesting before 60 — or even earlier than that. Here are [the symptoms to look out for]( at any age. - This devastating disease takes so much — both from the ones afflicted with it, and their loved ones. This moving essay provides a much-needed look at [the impacts of caregiver burnout](.   Extra Credit Listen up: Looking to take Going There well, on the go? Right now [the digital audiobook version of my memoir]( is discounted on Audible and is ready for your next commute or road trip. Pops of flavor: When you can’t decide if you’re craving something salty or sweet, [Rachael Ray’s kettle corn]( provides the very best of both worlds. 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