Our U.S. Constitution

At the opening of the 112th Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives read the entire U.S. Constitution to Members on the House floor.

It was a great moment of inspiration as the powerful words written by our founding fathers echoed across the House floor, because as the elected representatives of the people, we all must take to heart the oath that we took to support and defend this important document. The words ‘We The People’ and all that follow have for 200 years served as a beacon of democratic ideals across the globe, and we at home must remain vigilant in protecting the rights and freedoms guaranteed by this revered document.

As members of Congress, we have worked to re-assert the Constitution’s role in the legislative process by passing a rule that will prohibit members from introducing a bill or joint resolution without a ‘statement citing as specifically as practicable the power or powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact’ it. This new requirement will help to restore trust between Congress and the people it serves, and refocus members on the importance of the Constitution that they take an oath to support and defend.