Washington ? Kansas Rep. Jim Ryun is leading House Republicans in an effort to preserve the citizenship oath, which immigration officials were trying to change.

Opposition from conservatives such as Ryun pressured the federal Citizenship and Immigration Service bureau to delay the scheduled Sept. 17 debut of its new oath, which the agency touted as more meaningful and sensible than the traditional version.

Foes did not like the planned deletion of promises by new citizens to “renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty” and serve in the Armed Forces when required by law.

The rewritten section would have said: “Where and if lawfully required, I further commit myself to defend the Constitution and laws of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, either by military, noncombatant or civilian service.”

Critics argue the new language would have opened a loophole letting people avoid military service.

“That is one of the concerns that comes out of this,” Ryun said. “It’s important that there is a recognition that with our country comes certain commitments, certain obligations, certain rights and certain responsibilities.”

Ryun was designated by House leadership to handle the issue and on Thursday introduced legislation to put the current oath into law. A dozen House members are co-sponsoring the measure, including his fellow Kansas Republican, Rep. Todd Tiahrt.

In the Senate, Tennessee GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander is sponsoring the measure along with 30 other senators, including Republicans Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback of Kansas.

In the first five months of the current fiscal year, 167,000 immigrants said the oath and became naturalized citizens, according to Ryun.

“I think sometimes we neglect what to many of us doesn’t seem very significant,” Ryun said. “They’re very aware of what they’re doing. It’s very special.

“This is not the time in our country’s history when we want to start changing those important symbolisms that are significant,” he added.

Immigration officials are not responding to the criticism other than to say it is positive feedback.