There’s homeland security, as in needing privacy, and then there’s Homeland Security.
On Thursday, members of Congress serving on the House Homeland Security committee got wide-eyed during their virtual meeting when one member, apparently in his bedroom and not exactly dressed for work after earlier appearing in a dress shirt and tie, stretched out in what appeared to be either pajamas or boxer shorts, revealing his unclothed and rather oversized belly.
While Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was offering testimony about the Biden administration’s budget requests, Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), in a T-shirt, decided to stand up at home, unaware that his belly protruded in clear sight of the members of the committee.
“Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) covered her mouth in shock as Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) continued speaking to Mayorkas — ironically, about cybersecurity — apparently oblivious to the view,” the New York Post noted, adding that a teal wall with photographs was in the backdrop in both the shot of Payne in a dress shirt and the one of him in his more casual attire.
Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) tweeted out the video, writing, “Another reason Democrats should get off Zoom and back to work. #TheStruggleIsReal.”
Another reason Democrats should get off Zoom and back to work. #TheStruggleIsReal pic.twitter.com/92cvxqnEV2
— Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (@RepBethVanDuyne) June 17, 2021
Payne’s legislative director Sam Morgante responded to Van Duyne and defended his boss, tweeting, “It’s no secret that as a diabetic the Congressman has his weight struggles. But we try to stick to policy here in Congress.”
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) joined in the criticism of Payne, writing, “If taxpayers are paying you $174,000 per year, getting out of bed and putting some clothes on for work seems like it should be a minimum requirement.”
If taxpayers are paying you $174,000 per year, getting out of bed and putting some clothes on for work seems like it should be a minimum requirement. https://t.co/Sqh6BdZ4W7
— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) June 17, 2021
During the committee meeting, Payne asked Mayorkas, “Can you assure this committee that DHS failure to issue a threat assessment was not part of an attempt by the Trump administration to leave the Capitol and Congress undefended?”
CBS News reported in July 2017 on the nebulous requirements for the clothing of House members:
The only specifics that exist — and they’re not extensive — lie in Jefferson’s Manual and Rules of the House of Representatives, which spells out the history of the somewhat vague guidelines. In the 96th Congress, then-Speaker Tip O’Neill, a Democrat, “announced that he considered as proper the customary and traditional attire for Members, including a coat and tie for male Members and appropriate attire for female Members,” a 2015 edition of the manual said. It added that the House then adopted a resolution that required Members “to wear proper attire as determined by the Speaker.”
Billy House, then chairman of the Standing Committee of Congressional Correspondents, said that a dress code came from the idea of “proper decorum,” which is discussed in the rules package at the start of each Congress. He told CBS News, “However, for anyone hoping to find any actual, official code of attire? Good luck.”