House members re-take oath of office

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - Missouri House members have taken their oaths of office for a second time because of a mix-up the first time.

The 2013 session started last week, and the newly elected legislators pledged to support the "government" instead of the "constitution." House leaders decided on Monday to repeat the oath during a morning session conducted before the inaugural ceremony for statewide elected officials.

House Speaker Pro Tem Jason Smith, a Republican from Salem, says it is important for legislators to publicly vow to support the U.S. and Missouri constitutions.

However, the second swearing-in likely only was ceremonial. After orally repeating the oath with the misspoken word, legislators then signed a correctly phrased written version.

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