Inauguration Day Vows, also known as OATHS, are the promises made by a newly elected president of the United States during their inauguration ceremony. These vows are typically made in front of the United States Congress and are a solemn promise to uphold the Constitution and serve the people of the United States. The words of the oath are prescribed by the Constitution and are traditionally spoken by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The oath is a symbol of the transfer of power from one president to the next and is an important part of the inauguration ceremony.