Missouri lawmakers in the state House of Representatives began its legislative session by voting on a dress code. The dress code was for women and it was part of a larger new rules package. The stricter dress code passed with a vote of 105-51. The new rules require female legislators and staff members to wear a jacket such as a cardigan or blazer.

Let me start by saying the irony is not lost on me that I often write about the hardships facing women in Islamic countries, like those under the control of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the Ayatollah in Iran. The current anti-regime protests occurring in Iran now began because a 22-year-old woman died after being beaten by police and jailed over wearing her headscarf improperly in public. Women in Afghanistan are now required to cover themselves from head to toe by the Taliban after 20 years of essentially dressing as they pleased, prior to the withdrawal by American troops in 2021.

Here’s the thing – the men in the Islamic countries want to diminish women. Women are considered lesser than men in their world. In Missouri, the lawmakers, both male and female, were addressing a problem they saw as a lack of professionalism. No one was saying that women shouldn’t be lawmakers in the House. What they were saying is that dress codes are for a reason and most places of business have one, whether it is enforced or not.

The Republican lawmaker who introduced the change said it was done to ensure decorum and mirror the men’s dress code. Democrats called it ridiculous, saying women shouldn’t be policed for their fashion choices.

Republican Rep. Ann Kelley, who introduced the amendment, said it cleans up language in current House rules so that the dress code for women will mirror the dress code for men.

“It is essential to always maintain a formal and professional atmosphere on House floor and to ensure this happens, I have felt compelled to offer this amendment,” she said during Wednesday’s floor debate.

It was a Republican woman who introduced the amendment so cue the outrage machine on the left side of the aisle. Why, it’s just like “The Handmaid’s Tale.” That’s the favorite go-to accusation against conservatives by leftists who are triggered by a perceived injustice. Remember the long red capes and white bonnets outside the Supreme Court during the abortion debates? It’s just like that if a woman is asked to wear a jacket or cardigan on the Missouri House floor, y’all.

One Democrat woman complained about men telling her what to wear but a Republican woman who sponsored the bill noted that some women don’t seem to be able to ‘dress professionally.’

“I never thought my first national interview would be about what I can and cannot wear as a female lawmaker,” said Democratic Missouri Representative Ashley Aune.

Aune gave an impassioned statement against the bill on the House floor, asking her fellow lawmakers, “Do you know what it feels like to have a bunch of men in this room looking at your top, trying to decide whether it’s appropriate or not?”

The Missouri House has 116 men and 43 women. The House majority is held by Republicans, with 111 Republicans to 52 Democrats.

In response, Rep. Ann Kelly, the Republican Congresswoman who sponsored the bill, said, “You would think that all you would have to do is say, ‘dress professionally’ and women could handle it.”

There is not a rule requiring women to wear a blazer or jacket in the state Senate.

Plenty of businesses and professions have dress codes. No too long ago, there were courtrooms where women could not wear pants or open-toed shoes. They wore dresses or skirts. When I began working in an office setting with my first adult job, back in the days the dinosaurs roamed, pants were rarely seen on women working in offices. Nor were women wearing sleeveless blouses or dresses. Arms were covered, either by long or short sleeves. It all seems quaint now, when so often it seems anything goes now, but some professions still strive for a more polished look. No one wants a lawyer showing up for court looking like she’s going to a club. The same goes for a politician during a legislative session.

It’s not too much to ask a woman to toss on a blazer or a cardigan. Men wear jackets and ties. The argument went back and forth.

In a statement on Facebook, Kelly wrote, “How is encouraging professionalism wrong? If there is ever a time to honor traditions and be professional it is on the House Chamber Floor in the Missouri House of Representatives; I will not apologize for standing up for these things.”

“Maybe trust that women—who were in the crosshairs of your latest piece of insanity—can dress professionally on their own volition without your feeble effort of control and stripping women of their rights,” read a comment from Monday on Kelly’s post.

“Absolutely disgusting that as a grown woman, in a position of power in a country of people struggling you are more concerned about shoulders than real problems facing your constituents,” read another.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Everyone knows that you have to pass the rules first at the beginning of a legislative session before getting down to business.

Just watched @Ashley4MO on @CNN talking about our ludicrous dress code in the MO House. It is mind-boggling that members of the Missouri House have the right to bear arms on the floor of the chamber, but women legislators are forbidden from showing bare arms. pic.twitter.com/wwbcKFc6MF

— Maggie Nurrenbern (@MaggieforMO) January 13, 2023

That guy who likes Communist Chinese spies decided to weigh in on the Missouri dress code. I guess with less committee assignments, he has more time on his hands.

Republicans continue to codify their brand of sexism and misogyny but let’s hear more about that gas stove outrage…smh.https://t.co/xfAbPNhv3s

— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) January 15, 2023

As I noted above, men wear jackets or blazers on the Missouri House floor. Why is it unacceptable to require the same of women?