Mr. Chairman. today I offer an amendment to establish the oath of renunciation and allegiance as Federal law so that it cannot be changed without an act of Congress. The oath of renunciation and allegiance is a solemn vow taken by thousands of immigrants each year to become a United States citizen. The oath is the fundamental statement of allegiance to the United States. and this allegiance is what unites America. We are not a Nation based upon race and creed or religion. We are a Nation based upon loyalty and allegiance to our country and her principles. As a gateway to the United States citizenship. the oath should be given the same respect and protection as our other national symbols. such as the American flag. our national anthem. and the Pledge of Allegiance. Furthermore. given its title 1 authority over naturalization. Congress has the authority and obligation to protect the oath. The oath took its current form in the 1950s. but parts of the oath date back to 1790. In 2003. the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services proposed changes that would have significantly weakened the oath and its historical significance. Specifically. the proposed changes would have eliminated the call to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution. Eliminating these words would have inherently diminished the force of the Constitution. and any measure that reduces the importance of the Constitution is a blow to all American rights.
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