Senator Reverend Warnock Takes Oath of Office, Urges Immediate Action to Address Pandemic and Deliver Solutions for Georgians

Warnock: “I’ve got my shoes on, and I’m ready to get work in the Senate on behalf of Georgians and our country”

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock was sworn into the United States Senate, becoming the first Black Senator to serve from Georgia and the 11th Black Senator in U.S. history.

“This is a great day for Georgia and for our country. Today, my father, a veteran and son of south Georgia, would have been 104 years old. Today, our country’s first Black, woman Vice President swore in his son, Georgia’s first Black United States Senator. That this is even possible is a testament to the promise of our democracy and the covenant we share with one another as Americans. At the same time, our nation faces multiple crises brought into sharper focus by a once in a century pandemic. Congress must get to work immediately to overcome the challenges impacting the lives and livelihoods of Georgians, and people across the country.

“I’m ready to start working in earnest with President Biden and Vice President Harris, along with the rest of Georgia’s congressional delegation, to deliver fair, swift and equitable solutions for Georgia to get beyond this public health crisis—including strengthening vaccine distribution and testing efforts, delivering additional direct payments and assistance for Georgia families, workers and small businesses, and more. At this inflection point in our nation’s history, we must also act urgently to protect the dignity of work, expand access to affordable health care, and heal together to ensure Georgia’s hardworking families have what they need to thrive.

“I’ve got my shoes on, and I’m ready to get work in the Senate on behalf of Georgians and our country.”

Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oath to Reverend Warnock following the inauguration. Reverend Warnock was accompanied by his sister, Ms. Valencia Warnock-King, for the ceremony. During the oath Reverend Warnock used the Bible given to him by the congregation of Ebenezer Baptist Church when he became Senior Pastor.