The OATHS Act makes changes to how House members officially take their oath of office when Congress starts a new session after an election. Currently, there's a requirement that the oath must be given during the first session of Congress following an election, but this bill removes that requirement, giving Congress more flexibility in when the oath is administered.

The bill also changes the timing and process for oath-taking. Instead of House members signing their oath on the first day of the new session, they'll now receive two printed copies of the oath before that first day and can sign them ahead of time. Once a member returns their signed oath to the House Clerk for official filing, they're considered to have taken the oath. If someone turns in their signed oath before noon on the first day of the session, it becomes official at noon that day. This essentially allows members to complete this requirement early rather than waiting until they're in session, streamlining the process and reducing delays on the first day of Congress.

OATHS Act

Foxx, Virginia

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.