Simone Lawson
Senators are required to take an oath of office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. The current oath, taken from the presiding officer in an open session of the Senate, is as follows: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oath of office | "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God." |
| Who takes the oath? | A Senator-elect takes the oath of office from the presiding officer in an open session of the Senate |
| Who else takes the oath? | Members of Congress, members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States |
| Is there a religious test? | No religious test is required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States |
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What You'll Learn
The current oath senators take
> I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
The oath is taken by a Senator-elect in an open session of the Senate, in front of the presiding officer. It is a requirement of the role, and no religious test is allowed as a qualification for any office or public trust under the United States.
The oath has evolved over time. In 1789, the First Congress adopted a simple oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States." At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, President Abraham Lincoln ordered all federal civilian employees within the executive branch to take an expanded oath. This was in response to a time of uncertain and shifting loyalties. Congress then adopted legislation requiring executive branch employees to take the expanded oath in support of the Union.
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The First Congress oath
The oath is a promise to uphold the Constitution and is taken by senators-elect in an open session of the Senate. The current oath is longer and includes a promise to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to bear true faith and allegiance to it.
The U.S. Constitution, Article VI, clause 3, states that senators and representatives, as well as members of state legislatures and executive and judicial officers, "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution". It also specifies that no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the United States.
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The expanded oath ordered by President Lincoln
Senators take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. The current oath is as follows:
> I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
At the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861, President Abraham Lincoln ordered all federal civilian employees within the executive branch to take an expanded oath. This was a time of uncertain and shifting loyalties, and the oath was in support of the Union. The oath was as follows:
> I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and that I will faithfully discharge, according to law, the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; that I will, to the best of my skill and ability, diligently and honestly, by all means in my power, strive and endeavour to promote and support the interest and honour of the United States, and that I do make this declaration without any mental reservation or evasion whatsoever: So help me God.
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The oath of office and allegiance
The current oath of office for senators is as follows: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God." This oath is taken by the Senator-elect in an open session of the Senate, administered by the presiding officer.
The First Congress adopted a simpler oath in 1789: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States." However, at the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, a time of uncertain and shifting loyalties, President Abraham Lincoln ordered all federal civilian employees within the executive branch to take an expanded oath. That summer, Congress passed legislation requiring executive branch employees to take the expanded oath in support of the Union.
It is important to note that no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the United States. While colonial and state legislatures may have created oaths that required members to swear allegiance to the state and profess a belief in God, the U.S. Constitution specifies that Congress may require no other oath of fidelity to the Constitution beyond the oath to support it.
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The U.S. Constitution on oaths of office
The U.S. Constitution states that senators and representatives, as well as members of state legislatures and all executive and judicial officers, "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this Constitution". This means that they are required to take an oath of office to defend the Constitution.
The current oath of office for senators is as follows:
> "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."
This oath has evolved over time. In 1789, the First Congress adopted a simpler oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States." At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, President Abraham Lincoln ordered all federal civilian employees within the executive branch to take an expanded oath, which was then adopted by Congress.
It is important to note that while senators and other officials are required to take an oath to support the Constitution, no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, senators are bound by oath or affirmation to support the constitution.
The current oath of office is as follows: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."
No, the U.S. Constitution states that "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States".
No, the First Congress adopted a simpler oath in 1789: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States."
