Utah Rep. Mike Kennedy was sworn in on Friday afternoon, but not until he first engaged in an interesting vote for the House speaker.
Kennedy supported House Speaker Mike Johnson, who managed to garner the 218 votes necessary to keep his gavel.
Johnson addressed the House of Representatives after his win, and remarked on the oath elected officials have to take to be sworn into office.
“It’s the same one oath for one nation, and under the banner of one great American flag. This is an opportunity for us to protect our shared American heritage, to maintain the conditions needed for self-government and to defend … the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” he said.
After Johnson was sworn in as speaker, he then swore in the members-elect en masse. “Congratulations. You are now members of the 119th Congress,” he said.
This marks Kennedy’s first term in federal office. The Utah Republican, who will represent Utah’s 3rd District, brings his experience as a practicing physician, trained lawyer, and former state lawmaker to the nation’s Capitol.