Pennsylvania Lawmaker Booted for Wearing American Flag Suit Ahead of 250th Birthday

A Pennsylvania Republican lawmaker was kicked off the House floor for sporting an American flag-themed suit jacket ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday.

Rep. Eric Davanzo expressed disbelief when Speaker Rep. Joanna McClinton ruled his attire violated House rules, labeling the suit a “costume.”

“Kicked off the floor for wearing a Patriotic jacket? That’s right, it happened!” Davanzo declared on Facebook.

Representing Pennsylvania's 58th district in Westmoreland County, Davanzo stood out in a red and white-striped jacket, purchased by his wife Rachelle, paired with a star-themed tie.

“I will never apologize for putting patriotism before politics,” he stated. “We love our country. We love America, so I’m happy to put this on. I’m proud to wear this.”

Even some Democrats acknowledged Davanzo’s bold choice. Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia County) remarked, “That is a very colorful jacket that the representative is wearing today. Very patriotic, I see, my friend.”

Davanzo noted, “Everybody loved it. They come up, people gave me hugs, shaking my hands, ‘Hey, this is great.’”

However, not all lawmakers shared that sentiment, particularly McClinton, the first black speaker of the Pennsylvania House.

House Whip Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh County) reportedly issued an ultimatum: remove the jacket or leave the floor.

A security guard echoed this order shortly after. “She says it’s a costume… He goes, yeah, it’s something you wouldn’t wear every day,” Davanzo recounted. “And I’m like, ‘Listen, I would wear this back home and I’m going to wear it again.”

“America’s 250… It’s a holiday weekend coming up. Why not wear it?” he added.

McClinton’s office defended the decision to remove Davanzo despite the backlash it sparked.

“The House Democrats came to Harrisburg this week to do the serious work of passing a responsible budget to benefit all Pennsylvanians,” her office stated.

Davanzo retaliated against Democrats as they failed to pass the state budget on time for the fifth consecutive year.

“We have an affordability crisis; people can’t afford stuff,” he told WHP. “Instead of coming out here and doing the people’s work, no, what are we focused on? We’re focused on bulls–t issues like this jacket, right? No reason whatsoever.”

“This wasn’t a costume. This is something that I truly believe in. I’m a patriot.”

Davanzo is a father to two daughters, Brianna and Brielle. He first won election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2020, defeating Robert Prah Jr by nearly 9,000 votes.

His victory margin in 2022 against Ken Bach was tighter at 7,335 votes before he comprehensively defeated union nurse Cherri Rogers by over 14,000 votes two years later.

Davanzo will face Rogers again this November for election to the 58th District, which includes the former steel town of Monessen.

He was unchallenged in this year’s Republican primary.

Throughout his six years in the House, he has supported laws promoting family-sustained jobs, infrastructure improvements, and quality education for children.

Davanzo passed Act 7 of 2022, dedicating part of State Route 31 to John Beyrand, who was killed in action in Vietnam in August 1967—just over a year after starting his tour.

The Post has reached out to Davanzo’s office for comment.