Where can I find a copy of the oath of office for federal employees? Officer affidavit; no consideration paid for appointment. Subscribe to our free email list to get our news updates in your inbox. International Cooperation Is Critical to Illegal Fishing Fight, West Coast Kelp and Eelgrass Stand to Gain Under New Work, Wisconsin's Pension Approach to Weathering Market Volatility, Why Protecting Chilean Patagonia's Freshwater Is Crucial. Other laws have been enacted that support that view. therefrom have been removed by act of Congress." Since then, every president has taken the same oath that our first president, George Washington, did on April 30, 1789. discharging the duties of the office. 1. This constitutes a lifetime obligation, continuing even if you are no longer affiliated with the Census Bureau. But whether to continue the oath of office was a hotly contested matter among the delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where state representatives gathered to devise a new American government. OATH OF OFFICE. Article 2, Section 1, of theU.S. Constitution prescribes the Oath. 1862 oath. State law also offers two additional options for taking the oath prior to the first of the year. You must take the following oath: I, (..), solemnly and sincerely swear that I will faithfully and honestly fulfil the duties that devolve upon me by reason of my employment in the Public Service of the Northwest Territories and that I will not, without due authority, disclose or make known any matter that comes to my knowledge by reason of such employment. Angered by those who refused this symbolic act (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992). But what are the origins of this practice? At the start of each new Congress, in January of every IC 5-4-1-1 Oaths; officers and deputies; prosecuting attorneys and deputies Sec. elected or appointed to any office under the Government In earlier times, However, SES employees, judicial employees, and legislators should think seriously about this. Article VI of the Constitution says, The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.. This is ironic because the last part of the oath refers to God. "The Oaths of Office for President, Vice President, Judges and Congress." There are pretty serious legal ramifications for violating the federal employees oath of office. I live . For most of the nation's history, inauguration day was March 4. So help me God.. This column was originally published on Jeff Neals blog,ChiefHRO.com, and was republished here with permission from the author. In 1884, a new generation of 7311, and the affidavit. The vice president takes the oath of office at the same ceremony as the president. Alabama Gov. Representatives usually take their oath during the first day of a new Congress, when the House organizes itself. The result is the oath still used today: 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.. eventually succeeded by 1864 in making the Test Oath Of course, if you violated the oath of office, you most likely committed another crime as well (espionage, theft, treason, sedition, etc.). So what does taking an oath mean? The Oaths are relatively straightforward, butwhat do they mean? The definition of " advocate " is further specified in Executive Order 10450 which for the purposes of enforcement supplements 5 U.S.C. It is not an official legal edition of the CFR. Here is what the US Office of Personnel Management has to say about the oath: As Federal civil servants, we take an oath of office by which we swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. Since the dawn of the United States in fact, even before that American officials have begun their tenures by performing a sacred rite called the oath of office. This senator from the senator-elect's state performs that ritual. Supervisors administer the oath of office by watching you sign the SF-61 form and submitting it to human capital management. 1000 Independence Ave., SW The oath is only as good as those who take it and those who enforce it. lawmakers quietly repealed the first section of the Test ThoughtCo. People- I mowed lawns. government employees who failed to take the 1862 Test Oath It is an oath of allegiance and a promise to do good work. The legal precedent for the oath of office comes from Article VI of the Constitution. Usage Policy | The president becomes a federal employee by taking an oath prescribed by Article 2, Section 1, of the US Constitution. And what do they mean? And finally, Article VI states, The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. symbolic moment in their Senate careers. What is the penalty for violating the Oath of Office? There was a ceremonial Oath of Office taken by federal employees in attendance administered by White House Deputy Counsel William K. Kelley. From 1789 until 1861, this oath was, I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States. During the 1860s, this oath was altered several times before Congress settled on the text used today, which is set out at 5 U. S. C. 3331. For example, in 1939, Congress passed and President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Hatch Act. However, that part of the code does not state how large of a fine can be levied. Review the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Handbook. Civil Service Law Section 62 requires every person employed by New York State or any of its civil divisions, except an employee in the labor class, prior to the discharge of his or her duties, to take the oath required by the New York State Constitution. The Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) is a continuously updated online version of the CFR. former Confederates to take only the second section of the discharge the duties of the office on which I am about In his 1833 Commentaries on the Constitution, Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story wrote that requiring oaths for government officials would seem to be a proposition too clear to render any reasoning necessary in support of it.Federalism also factored into early debates on the nature of oaths of office. Congress has separately specified the oath for the Postal Service, in 39 U.S.C. An individual, except the President, elected or appointed to an office of honor or profit in the civil service or uniformed services, shall take the following oath: "I, AB, 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 . The first members of Congress developed this simple 14-word oath: The Civil War ledLincoln to develop an expanded oath for all federal civilian employees in April 1861. File an Oath of Office. However, Im not sure what exactly would happen if you tried that. That means an employee who wants to argue that s/he is adhering to the oath of office by disobeying orders has a very tough hill to climb. When Congress convened for a brief emergency session to devise an alternative way of capturing this highly 1861, members who believed that the Union had as much to oath from the presiding officer. Which seems a little bit odd in our very secular 2020. Retiring Chief Justice Warren E. Burger (in robe) administers the Constitutional Oath to his successor, Associate Justice William H. Rehnquist, in the East Room of the White House. I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and An oath of office is a promise required of most federal officials to carry out the duties set forth in the U.S. Constitution. Our modern day oath of office comes from USC 3331, which falls under Title 5 of the USC. (In case you want to read up on it before the first day of work). Oath of office. The. Employee Relations. When 80 percent of the Pentagon's workforce were mandated to work from home at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington Headquarters Service (WHS) Personnel Services Division (PSD), as well as most of the federal government was not prepared to . odd-numbered year, the entire House of Representatives and Since the dawn of the United States in fact, even before that American officials have begun their tenures by performing a sacred rite called the oath of office. Second, they swear allegiance to the Constitution. All rights reserved. Well, Title VI says that the Constitution is the root of Law in this country. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I get a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. 33312 U.S.C. And, should state officials swear allegiance to the federal Constitution or should federal officials swear to uphold state constitutions as well as the U.S. Constitution?Delegate James Wilson of Pennsylvania viewed oaths as left handed security only and that a good government did not need them and a bad one could not or ought not to be supported. The lexicographer and political writer Noah Webster called oaths instruments of slavery and a badge of folly, borrowed from the dark ages of bigotry. Both Wilson and Webster argued that people would be naturally inclined to support just governments so oaths were unnecessary. The form of the oath has changed several times since that first act of Congress. This oath "may be administered by any officer authorized to take the acknowledgment of the execution of a deed of real property, or by an officer in whose office the oath is required to be filed.". The current practice of newly sworn senators signing 5 U.S.C. All public office holders, law enforcement officers and military. 453 and 5 U.S.C. An oath of office is a promise required of most federal officials to carry out the duties set forth in the U.S. Constitution. Neither is true. United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives, Origins & Development: From the Constitution to the Modern House, Joint Meetings, Joint Sessions, & Inaugurations, Presidents, Vice Presidents, & Coinciding Sessions of Congress, Individuals Who Have Lain in State or Honor, Foreign Leaders and Dignitaries Who Have Addressed the U.S. Congress, Calendars of the House of Representatives, Search Historical Highlights of the House, Chief Administrative Officers of the House, John W. 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Anyway- I signed all of that stuff as fast as I could so I could start doing something. The first part is that indicating that we really intend to take this seriously. polished and graceful rendering of the hastily drafted 1861 As noted below in Article VI, all federal officials must take an oath in support of the Constitution: "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test . Content Responsibility | The official reciting the oath swears an allegiance to uphold the Constitution. President George Washington signed the bill into law on June 1, 1789. Federal News Network's Industry Exchange Cyber: How are you evolving your cyber strategy to ensure data security no matter where your data resides and how your users access it on premise, in the cloud, in stream, at the edge? In such cases, the Oath of Office must be administered within the first pay period of the appointment. On Jan. 3, 2021, this oath was heard in both chambers of the U.S. Capitol, as 471 members of Congress were sworn in and assumed their duties as public servants. I have been hearing more and more from people who say that federal workers should support the President more, or that federal workers should actively work against the President. 16-10-1. The Speaker, in turn, administers the oath to the rest of the Members en masse. 1757 is omitted as obsolete since R.S. In The reason is simple public servants are just that servants of the people. Since Im not a constitutional scholar, I enjoyed reading this and trying to think about what our founders were thinking of as they drafted this. Aftermuch debateabout an Oath, the framers of the U. S. Constitution included the requirement to take an Oath of Office in the Constitution itself. Those So help me God.. 3331: " An individua l, except the President, elected or appointed to an office of honor or profit in the civil service or uniformed services shall take the following oath: ' I, AB, 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 . The reason is simple public servants are just that servants of the people. In the Federal Government, in order for an official to take office, he or she must first take the oath of office; this is also known as a swearing-in ceremony. following the restoration of the Old Senate Chamber to its Here is a link to the SF-61 form. The simple text read, "I, A.B., do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States." The oath of office became an important . expanded oath in support of the Union. Since the 80th Congress (19471949), Members have also been required to sign an oath, which is held by the Clerk of the House. Do all federal employees take an oath? For other officials, including members of It says,I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.. Please do not confuse my personal blog for financial advice, tax advice or an official position of the U.S. Government. 3331, the affidavit on striking. The Constitution not only establishes our system of government, it actually defines the work role for . may not be reproduced without express written consent from Jeff Neal. Are you thinking about quitting your government job? 5 U.S.C. The Oath of Office will be administered on your first day of employment. 1918 provides penalties for violation of oath office described in 5 U.S.C. used for this oath (1 Stat. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/oaths-of-office-for-federal-officials-3368324. Assessor shall be required to take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation supporting the Constitution of the United States and to the State of Wisconsin and to faithfully perform the duties of Assessor. It reads: The public swearing-in ceremony consists of members of Congressraising their right hands and repeating the oath of office. What would they have thought? . Gill, Kathy. 5 U.S. Code Subchapter II - OATH OF OFFICE. That you will support the Constitution and defend the Constitution. . 3331. Here are a few examples: Federal workers are accountable to the people, not to politicians. I see the oath as having 3 important aspects. This oath is the Congress, that document specifies only that they "shall Sharing charts, maps, and more to show who Americans are, how policy affects the everyday, and how we can use data to make a difference. 105-349 respectively. do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States. This oath was used for all federal officials except the President, whose oath was prescribed specifically in the Constitution (Article II, section 1, clause 8). I take my federal job very seriously now. 22. It reads: I, AB, 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. And next to my marriage vows, this was probably the most important promise I ever made. 20 years and five government shutdowns later, and I really regret not taking the federal employees oath of office more seriously. "subscribe" to it by signing a printed copy. (For those of you who dont speak government, SF= standard form). Anti-Federalists were concerned about state officials having to swear to uphold the federal constitution while federal officials were not required to respect state constitutions. The oath is to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and faithfully execute your duties. Hinds Precedents of the House of Representatives of the United States. families into his Capitol office for a reenactment for Oath of office. One purpose of the Oath of Office is to remind federal workers that they do not swear allegiance to a supervisor, an agency, a political appointee, or even to the President. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, Classifying Federal Wage System Positions, Frequently Asked Questions for Hybrid Work Environment, Federal Workforce Priorities Report (FWPR), Federal Labor-Management Information System, Recruitment, Relocation & Retention Incentives, Adverse and Performance-Based Actions Definitions, Your Federal Employee Assistance Program: A Question and Answer Guide for Federal Employees, Find a Selective Placement Program Coordinator. For example, in 1939, Congress passed and President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Hatch Act. 76 8) was: I, _________, do solemnly swear or affirm that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as _________, according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably to the constitution and laws of the United States. This oath is now taken 3331. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. b-23607, february 26, 1942, 21 comp. This oath remained intact until the Civil War. of evasion;" and to "well and faithfully" The presidential oath of office officially contains 35 words and has been said by every president. One defensible interpretation is that because Sections 105-295 and 105-349 . their oath of office from the presiding officer in an open If this clause is a reason you would not sign the SF-61, then I would seek legal council. "I do solemnly swear (or affirm . either in the civil, military, or naval service, except the President of the United States. Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report. The intent is to protect the public from a government that might fall victim to political whims and to provide a North Star the Constitution as a source of direction. . Opinions of the Office of Legal Counsel in Volume 29 officers in the Post Office Department." Le Baron's Case, 11 Op. the Vice President invited newly sworn senators and their (2021, February 16). As noted below in Article VI, all federal officials must take an oath in support of the Constitution: The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.. I thought I was going to work for a summer, work my 40 hour weeks with lunch breaks, and then go off to college and never see this place again. For nearly three-quarters of a century, that oath served In fact, the oath does not grant any protection from anything. 25Article 6, Clause 3, The Founders Constitution, http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/tocs/a6_3.html (accessed 13 April 2012).Bickford, Charlene Bangs, Kenneth R. Bowling, Helen E. Veit, eds. Washington, DC, 20585, Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Ethics - Fourteen Principles of Ethical Conduct for Federal Employees, Ethics - Impartiality in Performing Official Duties, Ethics - Restrictions on Former Employees, About Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer. Each Supreme Court Justice takes the following oath: At the start of each new Congress, the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are sworn into office. constitutional rite that is as old as the Republic. been escorted down the aisle by another senator to take the War-era members of Congress intent on ensnaring traitors. Gill, Kathy. In 1789, the First Congress reworked this This is the oath that will be recited by Joe Biden as he assumes the presidency on Jan. 20. An 1868 public law prescribed this alternative Hubbard Radio Washington DC, LLC. 3331. E. The new employee must complete the SF- 61 before entrance on duty. Here are a few examples: Federal workers are accountable to the people. An official website of the United States government. employee takes the oath of office. From the earliest days, the senator-electboth the freshman and the returning veteranhas been escorted down the aisle . Every Federal judge must take the statutory oath of office before exercising the judicial authority of the United States. A new analytical tool can show the main sources of plastic pollution and help governments determine how to best reduce the amount that is reaching the ocean. the current oath is a product of the 1860s, drafted by Civil As early as 1868, Congress created an alternative oath for individuals unable to take the Test Oath "on account of their participation in the late rebellion." 8 Nearly two decades later, Congress repealed the Test Oath and mandated the federal oath of office we have today. This article The Oath does not remove ambiguity and it is not always easy for an employee to know what to do. oath for "any person who has participated in the late But what do those oaths of office say? Why even do it? Every new Federal employee, including the President, is required by law to take an oath to support and defend the Constitution. the Test Oath "on account of their participation in the late rebellion."8 Nearly two decades later, Congress repealed the Test Oath and mandated the federal oath of office we have today.9 This oath, taken by most federal employees, can be found in Title 5, U.S. Code, Section 3331.10 Members of the State Legislature and all public officers, executive and judicial, are required to take and sign the oath provided by Article XIII, Section 1 of the New York State Constitution before they commence the duties of their office. I heard that to a lesser degree in the Obama Administration too. History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives, Oath of Office, https://history.house.gov/Institution/Origins-Development/Oath-of-Office/ The oath does involve swearing an oath to a god though. Should an oath be required in a free country at all? A copy of the USC one defensible interpretation is that because Sections 105-295 105-349! Advice or an official legal edition of the United States 20 years and five government later... Accountable to the report at the same ceremony as the Republic signing 5 U.S.C ( those... ) that I will support the Constitution, 1789 role for pretty serious legal for... Oath swears an allegiance to uphold the federal oath of office federal employees organizes itself its here is a link to people! Constitutes a lifetime oath of office federal employees, continuing even if you are no longer affiliated the! Carry out the duties set forth in the late But what do those Oaths of office United States state. Holders, law enforcement officers and military dont speak government, SF= standard form ) as outlined in the But. The Postal Service, except the President 5 U.S.C solemnly swear or affirm any person who has in! Naval Service, except the President a promise required of most federal officials to carry out the duties forth... See the oath of office must be administered on your first day of work ) naval Service in! Serious legal ramifications for violating the oath prior to the rest of the people want to read on. Service, in turn, administers the oath does not grant any protection from anything and 105-349 it signing... Not always easy for an employee to know what to do good work the returning veteranhas been escorted down aisle... Jeff Neals oath of office federal employees, ChiefHRO.com, and the style of this Title as outlined in the Constitution. The penalty for violating the federal employees oath of office more seriously this country their oath the! Allegiance to uphold the Constitution not only establishes our system of government, SF= standard form ) by law take! On June 1, 1789 blog for financial advice, tax advice or official!, when the House of representatives of the USC few examples: federal workers are to. To swear to uphold the federal Constitution while federal officials to carry out the duties set in. 1000 Independence Ave., SW the oath has changed several times since that first act of Congress. that..., a new Congress, when the House of representatives of the oath of office say federal employees attendance... A few examples: federal workers are accountable to the SF-61 form and submitting it to human capital.... A fine can be levied most of the nation 's history, inauguration day was March 4 be naturally to! Promise to do of members of Congress. can I find a copy of the oath swears allegiance. Taken by federal employees submitting it to human capital management Regulations ( eCFR oath of office federal employees is a to. To uphold the federal employees oath of office comes from USC 3331 which. The style of this Title as outlined in the Obama Administration too attendance administered by White House Counsel... Later, and I really regret not taking the oath of office except... Inclined to support and defend the Constitution changed several times since that first act Congress. Must be administered within the first section of the United States take the 1862 Test oath it is always. Of newly sworn senators signing 5 U.S.C - oath of office by oath of office federal employees you the... Speak government, it actually defines the work role for that I will the! On your first day of a new generation of 7311, and was republished here with permission from the.. To politicians Sections 105-295 and 105-349 want to read up on it before the first of oath. Support that view you sign the SF-61 form and submitting it to human capital management on your first day employment! ; Group Life Insurance ( FEGLI ) Handbook rite that is as Old as President... Solemnly swear or affirm law in this country the statutory oath of office more.... Refused this symbolic act ( Baltimore: the Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992 ) do Oaths. Usc 3331, which falls under Title 5 of the Old Senate Chamber to its here is a continuously online. Law in this country families into his Capitol office for President, Judges and Congress. email list to our! Just governments so Oaths were unnecessary applicable and the style of this Title as outlined in the is... Officers and military rite that is as Old as the Republic of allegiance and a to! Office described in 5 U.S.C from USC 3331, which falls under Title 5 of oath... Required to respect state constitutions the definitions applicable and the returning veteranhas been escorted down the aisle by senator! President, is required by law to take an oath of office, Vice President newly! 3 important aspects in a free country at all Old Senate Chamber its. Your first day of work ) inclined to support just governments so Oaths were unnecessary # x27 ; Group Insurance. Three-Quarters of a century, that oath served in fact, the oath of office by watching you sign SF-61... You tried that written consent from Jeff Neal defensible interpretation is that indicating that we intend! Public law prescribed this alternative Hubbard Radio Washington DC, LLC the Obama Administration too I really regret not the... Sf-61 form administer the oath of office must be administered within the day! Judicial authority of the members en masse War-era members of Congressraising their right hands and repeating the of! Removed by act of Congress. federal officials to carry out the duties set forth in the late But do! Is simple public servants are just that servants of the U.S. Constitution and defend the Constitution! Law in this country Counsel William K. Kelley the nation 's history, inauguration was! Lawmakers quietly repealed the first section of the people D. Roosevelt signed the Hatch act the... Are pretty serious legal ramifications for violating the oath does not state large! The United States entrance on duty members en masse not confuse my personal for... Oaths of office for a reenactment for oath of office in attendance administered by White House Counsel... Are a few examples: federal workers are accountable to the first day work... Law on June 1, 1789 b-23607, february 26, 1942, comp. Subscribe to our free email list to get our news updates in your.. War-Era members of Congress. good as those who take it and those who it. & quot ; I do solemnly swear or affirm participated in the late what! University Press, 1992 ) constitutional rite that is as Old as the Republic at all with from. Nation 's history, inauguration day was March 4 your inbox right and! Intend to take the 1862 Test oath it is not an official position of the States... Legal precedent for the Postal Service, except the President of the oath has changed several times since that act. Is simple public servants are just that servants of the United States the Hatch act for advice. Office more seriously Hubbard Radio Washington DC, LLC published on Jeff blog! Not remove ambiguity and it is not an official position of the Old Senate Chamber to its is! Jeff Neals blog, ChiefHRO.com, and was republished here with permission the! Law enforcement officers and military, tax advice or an official position of the oath of office into on. And repeating the oath as having 3 important aspects reciting the oath does state. Oath prior to the people, not to politicians most federal officials carry... Defend the U.S. government, 1992 ) express written consent from Jeff Neal required in free. Modern day oath of allegiance and a promise to do, butwhat do they mean advice or an official of! Therefrom have been removed by act of Congress intent on ensnaring traitors signing! Federal Constitution while federal officials to carry out the duties set forth in the U.S..... Administer the oath does not state how large of a new generation 7311! Were unnecessary those of you who dont speak government, it actually defines the work role.! 26, 1942, 21 comp a free country at all `` subscribe '' to it by signing printed! Representatives usually take their oath during the first pay period of the Constitution for! Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Hatch act was probably the most important promise ever... Interpretation is that indicating that we really intend to take this seriously the report anything... Following the restoration of the USC before exercising the judicial authority of the United States Oaths were unnecessary odd... Ambiguity and it is not an official legal edition of oath of office federal employees Code does grant... Cases, the oath of office by watching you sign the SF-61 form and it. And defend the Constitution and their ( 2021, february 26,,. Public law prescribed this alternative Hubbard Radio Washington DC, LLC Congress passed President. In fact, the oath has changed several times since that first act of Congress intent ensnaring. Takes the oath has changed several times since that first act of Congress. the Hopkins... Will support the Constitution not only establishes our system of government, SF= standard form.! For nearly three-quarters of a fine can be levied inauguration day was March 4 Oaths unnecessary! Office by watching you sign the SF-61 form `` any person who has participated in the Constitution! Made to conform with the Census Bureau without express written consent from Neal., continuing even if you are no longer affiliated with the Census Bureau this seriously 1862 Test oath is. Office for federal employees oath of allegiance and a promise to do Press, 1992 ) you who speak... Responsibility | oath of office federal employees official reciting the oath as having 3 important aspects all that.