Arizona Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva is poised to confront House Speaker Mike Johnson after enduring nearly 50 days without being sworn in as a member of Congress. Grijalva, a Democrat, expressed her determination to address the situation personally, indicating that her message will emphasize the undemocratic nature of the delay. “This kind of obstruction cannot happen again,” she stated during an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins.
Grijalva’s swearing-in has been stalled since she won a special election on September 23 to succeed her father, longtime Congressman Raúl Grijalva, who passed away in March. The House has been out of session since September 19, and Speaker Johnson has refrained from swearing in Grijalva, citing the ongoing government shutdown. Johnson claimed that he is adhering to a precedent set by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who similarly delayed swearing in Republicans after special elections during recess periods.
The delay in Grijalva’s swearing-in has frustrated constituents in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, who have faced challenges accessing help in the absence of representation. Grijalva noted that the lack of transparency and willingness from Speaker Johnson has left over 800,000 southern Arizonans without necessary support during the shutdown.
Grijalva is expected to be the critical 218th vote for a discharge petition aimed at forcing a House vote on releasing all records connected to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She has pointed to the delay in her swearing-in as an attempt to obstruct that vote, a claim Speaker Johnson has denied.
Once officially in office, Grijalva hopes to expedite the vote on the Epstein files, emphasizing the need for accountability for those implicated in crimes against women and children. She also expressed concern that Speaker Johnson may attempt to prevent a vote on the matter, citing previous actions he has taken to avoid it.
As lawmakers prepare to return to Washington, DC, on Wednesday for a crucial vote on reopening the government, Grijalva’s swearing-in represents not just a personal victory but a step forward for her constituents who have long awaited representation in Congress.