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Senators Sworn In; Impeachment Trial Jury Takes Office; Chief Justice Rehnquist Presides

This is the official Senate record of the swearing-in of new senators.

With new senators in place, the Senate was able to move towards conducting the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, William Rehnquist, was also sworn in as the presiding officer for the impeachment trial.

Proceedings of the United States Senate.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore: Under the previous order, the hour of 1 p.m. having arrived, and a quorum having been established, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the articles of impeachment against William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States.

Mr. LOTT: Mr. President, at this time, pursuant to rule IV of the Senate Rules on Impeachment and the United States Constitution, the Presiding Officer will now administer the oath to William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore: Under the previous order, the escort committee will now conduct the Chief Justice of the United States to the dais to be administered the oath.

(Senators rising.)

The Chief Justice was thereupon escorted into the Chamber by Senators Stevens, Byrd, Hatch, Leahy, Snowe, and Mikulski.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore: We are pleased to welcome you.

The CHIEF JUSTICE: Senators, I attend the Senate in conformity with your notice, for the purpose of joining with you for the trial of the President of the United States, and I am now ready to take the oath.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore: Will you place your left hand on the Bible, and raise your right hand.

Do you solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, now pending, you will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws, so help you God?

The CHIEF JUSTICE: I do.

At this time I will administer the oath to all Senators in the Chamber in conformance with Article I, section 3, clause 6, of the Constitution and the Senate’s impeachment rules.

Will all Senators now stand and raise your right hand.

Do you solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, now pending, you will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws, so help you God?

SENATORS: I do.

The CHIEF JUSTICE: The clerk will call the names and record the responses.

The legislative clerk called the roll, and the Senators present answered `I do’ and signed the Official Oath Book.

The CHIEF JUSTICE: The Sergeant at Arms will make the proclamation.

The Sergeant at Arms, James W. Ziglar, made proclamation as follows:

Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! All persons are commanded to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment, while the House of Representatives is exhibiting to the Senate of the United States articles of impeachment against William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States.

The CHIEF JUSTICE: The majority leader is now recognized.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, any Senator who was not in the Senate Chamber at the time the oath was administered to the other Senators will make the fact known to the Chair so that the oath may be administered as soon as possible to the Senator. The secretary will note the names of the Senators who have been sworn and will assure that they have signed the book, which will be the Senate’s permanent record of the administration of the oath. I ask for the cooperation of all Senators present to please make sure that you sign the oath book today.

RECESS SUBJECT TO THE CALL OF THE CHAIR

Mr. LOTT: Mr. Chief Justice, if there is no objection, I ask that the Senate trial now stand in recess subject to the call of the Chair.

The CHIEF JUSTICE: Is there objection?

Hearing none, it is so ordered.

Thereupon, at 1:42 p.m., the Senate, sitting as a Court of Impeachment, recessed subject to the call of the Chair.

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Malcolm Farnsworth
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