Rep. Robert Goodlatte, who persuaded House Republican leaders to have the Constitution read out loud on the House floor, will be its first reader Thursday when the 112th Congress holds its opening session.
“The Constitution has never been read aloud on the floor of the House of Representatives. This historic and symbolic reading is long overdue,” said Goodlatte, R-6th District.
Mark Lloyd, chairman of the Lynchburg Tea Party and supporter of its demands that Congress adhere strictly to the Constitution, said that reading the document was a good idea, even though he hadn’t discussed it with Goodlatte.
“I’m all for that. I just hope they’re all sitting there listening,” Lloyd said, referring to other Congress members.
“I think the general pressure of the tea party, with its focus on the Constitution, is having an impact,” said Lloyd, who is set to become chairman of the Virginia Tea Party Patriot Federation on Feb. 1.
Goodlatte said, “One of the resounding themes I have heard from my constituents is that Congress should adhere to the Constitution and the finite list of powers it granted to the federal government.”
Goodlatte also credited Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli with helping to get the Constitutional reading adopted by House leaders.
Goodlatte will start reading the Constitution and its amendments at 10:30 a.m. on the House floor Thursday. It is expected to last for one to two hours, and “is open to all members of Congress who are interested in participating,” Goodlatte said in a news release. They will join in the reading on a first-come, first serve basis, he said.
The reading will be broadcast on C-SPAN at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday and will be seen online at the C-SPAN.org website.
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