Sweatpants ban sags in Arkansas Legislature

(AP) — An effort to ban Arkansas lawmakers from wearing jeans or sweatpants at a key committee's hearings failed Friday after one opponent suggested he'd get mistaken back home for an undertaker in a suit and tie.

The Arkansas House requires its male members to wear suit and tie, or coat, tie and slacks in its chamber, and female members to wear "business attire" or "professional wear."

Independent Rep. Nate Bell called the idea of taking away a lawmaker's voting rights at a meeting over their clothing "anti-democratic and anti-American," and said more casual outfits merely reflect what people in his district are wearing.

For women, the guide said the term would be blouses, sweaters, turtlenecks, sleeveless shirts, skirts and dresses, along with dress pants, khakis, trousers or corduroy pants — but no jeans of any color.