Oath-Taking in House Looks to History, Not Necessarily Logic
In a quirk dating back to the origins of Congress, members-elect in the House will cast their vote for the new speaker before taking the oath of office.
The Constitution does not outline how the House should be organized other than to say it should choose its speaker and other officers, determine its rules and publish a journal of its business.
In the first Congress, Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania was chosen the speaker on April 1, 1789, the first day a quorum was reached. It was not until days later that the House approved the form of the oath to be taken by members.
One reason is that the office of the speaker was modeled after the British parliamentary system, where it is the parties that choose who lead their caucuses and, if they are in the majority, the government.
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The Constitution does not outline how the House should be organized other than to say it should choose its speaker and other officers, determine its rules and publish a journal of its business.
In the first Congress, Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania was chosen the speaker on April 1, 1789, the first day a quorum was reached. It was not until days later that the House approved the form of the oath to be taken by members.
One reason is that the office of the speaker was modeled after the British parliamentary system, where it is the parties that choose who lead their caucuses and, if they are in the majority, the government.