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To: goldstategop

I believe this to be wrong. However, after reading the following the people who elected this muskie get what they asked for.

At the start of each new Congress, in January of every odd-numbered year, the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate performs a solemn and festive constitutional rite that is as old as the Republic. While the oath-taking dates back to the First Congress in 1789, the current oath is a product of the 1860s, drafted by Civil War-era members of Congress intent on ensnaring traitors.

The Constitution contains an oath of office only for the president. For other officials, including members of Congress, that document specifies only that they "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this constitution." In 1789, the First Congress reworked this requirement into a simple fourteen-word oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States."


11 posted on 11/27/2006 10:01:48 PM PST by taxesareforever (Never forget Matt Maupin)
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To: taxesareforever

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States."

Seeing how seriously most members of congress take this oath (or affirmation), I don't think it really matters how it is given.




25 posted on 11/27/2006 10:23:43 PM PST by Prokopton
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