John Roberts to Swear in John Boehner's Aides

Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office to incoming John Boehner aides on Tuesday, Politico reports, in a move seemingly designed to emphasize the imminent speaker's commitment to constitutional reverence.

According to Politico, incoming House Speaker Boehner specifically requested that Roberts preside over the ceremony, which will take place a day before the rest of Congress's 435 members are sworn in on January 5, 2011, Congress's first day in session.

The event, which is largely symbolic -- aides routinely sign off on a commitment to support the Constitution in employment paperwork -- will be private and closed to the press.

"As Boehner said on election night, this isn't a time for celebration; it's a time for focus, commitment, and tough choices. The challenges that lie ahead for our nation demand a serious approach," a Boehner aide told Politico. "Having the highest judicial officer in the country administer the oath underscores our commitment to listen to the American people and honor the Constitution."

Perhaps in a nod to the Tea Party movement, which has made its demands for constitutional stringency a pivotal part of its platform, Boehner has made a number of high-profile but largely symbolic moves to promote constitutional loyalty in the House. In addition to holding a full reading of the document on the House floor Thursday, Republican leadership recently announced its plan to require all House bills to contain a clause by the legislation's author citing constitutional authority to enact the law.

Boehner and the rest of Congress will be sworn in on Wednesday in the House Chamber. A number of Boehner's friends, family members, and people from his community in West Chester Township, Ohio, are said to be busing in for the occasion, according to Ohio's JournalNews.