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A little-known House procedure is drawing fresh attention from Republicans as lawmakers consider whether incoming members affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America could be challenged before taking their seats in Congress.
The potential showdown centers on the constitutional oath required of every newly elected House member and a controversial proposal to question whether candidates who support replacing the Constitution can sincerely promise to defend it.
At the center of the dispute is the Democratic Socialists of America’s political platform, which calls for replacing the existing Constitution with a new governing document.
Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital that he is considering challenging incoming socialist lawmakers over their commitment to the nation’s founding charter.
“You cannot swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution while actively working to destroy it. The oath of office is not just words you say at a ceremony. It is a belief. It is an oath to our country and our fellow countrymen,” Self said.
“The House has both the authority and the duty to ensure that anyone who takes that oath does so in good faith, without mental reservation or purpose of evasion. As DSA candidates and the Red-Green Alliance gain ground, we must enforce the Constitution as written or risk allowing people committed to replacing it to take seats of power under false pretenses.”
Self argued that the oath should be more than a formality for politicians seeking federal office.
“Anyone who has personally embraced the destruction of the Constitution has no business being sworn in to uphold it,” he said.
Under normal circumstances, newly elected representatives take the oath together at the beginning of a congressional session, with the House speaker overseeing the ceremony.