WASHINGTON — At the start of every Congress, there's the actual swearing in, and then the much cooler ceremonial swearing in later on (don't ask). Members queue up and wait their turn to stand next to Speaker John Boehner with their families around them, lay their hand on the religious text of their choice, and get blinded by the flash bulbs.
It’s a time-honored tradition, and one of the only endearing things about Congress.