A Republican legislator was directed to depart the Pennsylvania State House chamber, controlled by Democrats, this week after appearing in patriotic attire celebrating the United States' 250th founding anniversary. The incident highlights an ongoing discussion regarding decorum within the legislative assembly.
This disagreement occurred as the country prepares for its semiquincentennial. While the current presidential administration highlights events like the Great American State Fair, Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro's administration is promoting America250PA concerts and fairs across the state, from Pittsburgh to Wilkes-Barre.
Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state, has long experienced a divided government. Governor Shapiro oversees the executive branch, Democrats hold a slim one-seat majority in the House, and Republicans maintain a four-seat majority in the Senate. This political environment frequently leads to disputes, such as the recent one involving State Representative Eric Davanzo.
The Chamber Incident
Representative Davanzo, who represents a district in Westmoreland County situated between Pittsburgh and Greensburg, expressed his astonishment at the reaction from House Speaker Joanna McClinton, a Democrat from Southwest Philadelphia. He recounted that he was attending Tuesday's session wearing a distinct red, white, and blue suit and tie.
"We were talking, I turned around when a House photographer got a picture… and the next thing I know Whip O’Neal is gone," Davanzo stated. He continued, "He comes back a few minutes later and he says, ‘hey, you're not going to like this.’" Davanzo explained that McClinton subsequently informed minority leadership that his choice of clothing was deemed unsuitable.
"I’m like, ‘what? You’ve got to be kidding,’" Davanzo recounted, before learning that Speaker McClinton wished for him to leave the House floor. Initially, Davanzo decided to remain on the floor despite the Democratic leadership's request. However, a House security guard later informed him that McClinton was insisting he either remove his suit jacket or exit the chamber.
"Instead of taking my jacket off, I walked off the House Floor," he confirmed.
A Matter of Patriotism and Protocol
While it was evident that Speaker McClinton objected to his America 250-themed suit, Davanzo noted that some Democratic lawmakers approached him afterward in the Capitol, expressing their disagreement with his removal. Representative Jordan Davis, a Democrat from Gray's Ferry in Philadelphia, reportedly commented to Davanzo, calling the suit "a very colorful jacket the representative is wearing today. Very patriotic, I see, my friend."
Davanzo highlighted that House leadership had previously sanctioned various forms of thematic attire within the chamber. "You're only able to love freely because the brave men and women died for this flag," Davanzo asserted. "They died for our country. This is complete hypocrisy. You're allowed to wear tennis shoes on the floor. You're allow to wear top hats. You can wear camo-jackets. Everything across the board, but don't show up with a patriotic outfit on because you're going to be asked to leave."
He also pointed out that the Declaration of Independence was signed exactly 250 years ago this Saturday, approximately 250 miles east of his district in Philadelphia. Furthermore, Davanzo identifies as a "Bicentennial Baby," having been born in 1976 and celebrating his 50th birthday this year.
Legislative Priorities and Identity
Davanzo also chairs the America First Caucus within the State House. He described the caucus's objectives as focusing on initiatives such as reshoring manufacturing within Pennsylvania, a state increasingly moving away from its industrial past, and advocating for an "automatic death penalty" for undocumented immigrants convicted of murdering Pennsylvanians.
"I introduced bills that we would give $250 checks out to every family household in Pennsylvania so that we can celebrate America [250]. This is what I stand for, this is what believe in. I'm just representing my folks back home of who I am," he explained. Davanzo, who wore the same suit during his interview, concluded, "This is a big celebration coming up. I want to be patriotic, why not? What is so wrong with what I have on?"
