House Dress Code Falls Short

A jacket and tie is standard for any man on the floor of the House, but the dress code says nothing about shorts, as Rep. Jack Quinn (R-N.Y.) proved Wednesday.

“They said you need a tie and a coat and I qualify,” he told a group of reporters aghast at the sight of his casual attire.

He also wore deck shoes without socks.

With the House regrouping after a week’s recess, Quinn explained that he had just flown in from his district, where he was celebrating the Buffalo Sabres’ 2-1 victory Tuesday night over the Washington Capitals in the NHL Eastern Conference finals.

He said he also wanted to dispel the notion that it’s always cold in Buffalo.

“I just came from Buffalo and it’s gorgeous,” Quinn said.