Adelita Grijalva Set for Congressional Swearing-In
Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva is scheduled to be sworn into Congress on Wednesday, 50 days after securing her seat. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is expected to administer the oath of office for the Arizona Democrat. The swearing-in will occur following the chamber's return to session to address a plan for reopening the government after a shutdown.
Delayed Swearing-In and Epstein Files Petition
Grijalva stated on Tuesday that she believes her support for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files contributed to the delay in her being seated. This delay, according to Grijalva, has meant "denying representation to more than 800,000 Arizonans for the last seven weeks."
During her campaign, Grijalva pledged to support a bipartisan petition aimed at forcing a vote on the release of the Epstein files. Her signature would constitute the 218th, reaching the threshold required to trigger such a vote. The effort to gather signatures has been led by Representatives Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif.
Congressional Reactions and Speaker Johnson's Stance
Democrats have expressed concerns regarding the delay in Grijalva's swearing-in, attributing it to Johnson's actions to postpone the Epstein files vote. Johnson has denied these accusations, stating he would permit a vote on the Epstein files. He had previously indicated a willingness to swear in the Arizona winner promptly but later stated it would occur after the government reopened. Johnson maintained that members were not present during the government shutdown; the last legislative session prior to Wednesday was September 19.
Grijalva won her seat on September 23 in a special election, representing Arizona's 7th Congressional District, which includes parts of Tucson. During the interim period, Grijalva reported a lack of operational support, including staff, phones, computers, and a government email.
Commitment to the Petition and Upcoming Votes
Grijalva confirmed her intention to sign the Epstein discharge petition once sworn in, citing a desire for "justice for the survivors and consequences for those who committed crimes against children and women."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., described the delays as "unbelievable" but indicated they were concluded. Representative Jim McGovern, D-Mass., suggested that if current efforts succeed, the petition could trigger a vote by early December.
One of Grijalva's initial votes is anticipated to be on the government reopening plan. She stated she would not support the bipartisan plan passed by the Senate on Monday, citing insufficient concessions for healthcare.