Rep. Hakeem Jeffries open to easing sneaker ban at Capitol

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Sep 3, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said he’s open to easing the ban on wearing sneakers in the Capitol’s ornate House Speaker’s Lobby if Democrats win control of the chamber in the midterm congressional elections.

Asked if he would give the green light to more casual footwear, the House Democratic leader suggested he is firmly in the pro-kicks camp.

“That is a good question. I do lean in that direction,” Jeffries told reporters at a Capitol Hill press conference.

Eager to stay on message, the Brooklyn lawmaker quickly changed the subject back to Democrats’ determination to snatch control of Congress from Trump’s Republican allies in November.

“These are all issues for us to resolve after the fact,” Jeffries said. “We’re going to remain focused on Nov. 3.”

Jeffries went on to brush aside President Donald Trump’s vow to campaign in 35 battleground congressional districts before Election Day and his plan to convene GOP lawmakers for a midterms convention next week in Dallas.

Most Democrats believe Trump, whose approval ratings are around 35%, will only damage Republican chances by hogging the spotlight.

“Republicans are planning a celebration in the middle of an economic crisis where Americans are drowning,” Jeffries said.

The Speaker’s Lobby, located right outside the House Chamber in the U.S. Capitol, is a long and opulent corridor featuring portraits of past speakers of the House. It’s believed to have been where the term “lobbying” originated because outside interest would seek to buttonhole lawmakers there.

The House Speaker sets the rules for the space, which currently require dress shoes for everyone except members of Congress and ban jeans and other casual attire. Jeffries is in line to become the first Black Speaker if Democrats win the House, as most non-partisan analysts predict.

An end to the sneaker ban would amount to a big victory for Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a south Florida Democrat who founded the congressional Sneaker Caucus to fight for the right to wear casual footwear on Capitol Hill for all.

The diminutive Moskowitz says that’s an unfair double standard to female staffers who often have to stay on their feet in high heels all day long.

“One could argue I could dramatically benefit from a three-inch heel, but let’s move the rules into the future,” Moskowitz told the Daily News.

If Jeffries does get to ease the ban, Moskowitz may or may not be there to enjoy the liberalized policy in 2027.

He’s facing a toss-up reelection battle after Republicans redistricted Florida’s congressional districts in hopes of flipping up to four seats, including his coastal district spanning Palm Beach and Broward counties.

_____