OATHS Act

Ordering Authentication in The House's Swearing-in Act or the OATHS Act

This bill modifies procedures related to the oath of office that is taken by Members of the House of Representatives.

First, the bill eliminates the statutory requirement that the oath of office be administered at the first session of Congress after every general election of Representatives.

Second, the bill requires that the Clerk of the House of Representatives provide Members with two printed copies of the oath of office to sign before the first session of Congress rather than on the first day of that session. Generally, a Member shall be deemed to have taken the oath of office when they return the signed oath to the clerk for filing in official records. However, if a Member returns the signed oath before noon on the first day of the first session, the signed oath is effective at noon on the first day of that session.