Dems seek to end headwear ban
In nod to incoming diversity, they want House’s rule revised
WASHINGTON — Democrats want to change a rule banning House members from wearing hats on the chamber floor to accommodate the first Muslim women to ever be elected to Congress — one of whom wears a headscarf.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, DCalif., Rules Committee ranking Democrat Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, and congresswomanelect Ilhan Omar of Minnesota co-authored the proposal, which was included as part of a slate of rule changes that Democrats will seek to implement when they assume control of the House next year.
Omar, who was born in Somalia and came to the United States as a refugee, wears a headscarf — something that could fall afoul of the 181-year-old House rule banning members from wearing any kind of hat on the floor.
Democrats are proposing changing the rule to allow all religious headwear into the House chamber, though it is unclear whether members of other faiths would take advantage of it.
The proposed change, which House Democrats say is to promote diversity and ensure that the freedom of religious expression is protected on Capitol Hill, doubles as a rebuke of the anti-Muslim rhetoric by Republican candidates in several 2018 midterm races.
It also is notable for coming at a time when several U.S. allies in Europe are adopting countrywide bans on face veils.
Democrats proposed the change alongside a pledge to create an independent diversity office and ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity to ensure the most diverse Congress in history pursues creation of a diverse workforce as well.