Demand for Swearing-In: Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva’s Fight for Representation in Congress

Standoff Continues: Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva Demands Swearing-In Amid Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. — More than three weeks after winning her late father’s congressional seat, Tucson Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva returned to the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, once again demanding that House Speaker Mike Johnson administer her oath of office. Joined by leaders from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and fellow Democrats, Grijalva’s call for action underscores a growing frustration over her delayed swearing-in amid a government shutdown.

“What’s the problem?” asked Rep. Gil Cisneros, D-Calif., standing alongside Grijalva, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, and other supporters. “Is it because she’s a Democratic Latina? That she’s going to sign the discharge petition on the Epstein files?”

The House has not convened in full session since September 19, and Johnson has refused to swear in Grijalva until Democrats agree to the House GOP’s spending plan to end the ongoing government shutdown, which has now surpassed two weeks with no resolution in sight.

On Tuesday, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes escalated the situation by sending a letter to Johnson threatening legal action if Grijalva is not sworn in “without further delay.” Earlier that day, Mayes, along with Governor Katie Hobbs and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, certified the results of the September 23 special election, in which Grijalva won a resounding 70% of the vote to succeed her father, the late 12-term Rep. Raúl Grijalva.

“Every day that I am not sworn in is another day that my constituents are blocked from critical services and excluded from debates that affect their lives,” Grijalva stated emphatically. “Southern Arizona cannot afford to be sidelined.”

The ongoing standoff has not only elevated Grijalva’s national profile but has also highlighted the prolonged absence of the House, which is now nearing a full month without a session. The Wednesday news conference marked the latest Democratic effort to pressure Johnson into action.

“He is single-handedly silencing nearly 1 million Arizonans,” said Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Phoenix, accusing Johnson of disregarding the will of voters in the vast 7th Congressional District, which encompasses much of Arizona’s border with Mexico.

Tensions escalated last week when Kelly and Gallego confronted Johnson outside his office, accusing him of deliberately stalling the swearing-in process to delay the release of investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019.

“Stop covering up for the pedophiles,” Kelly urged Johnson during the heated exchange, which was witnessed by the media. Johnson dismissed the allegations as “totally absurd,” asserting that he was “anxious” to administer the oath as soon as Democrats agree to open the government.

Grijalva’s swearing-in is particularly urgent as she would provide the final signature needed on a discharge petition led by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, which would compel floor action on the Epstein files. Johnson has resisted holding such a vote, preferring to leave the matter to the House Oversight Committee.

“Do you know how often Arizona gets rain?” Gallego remarked, emphasizing the urgency of swearing in Grijalva, especially in light of flooding from Hurricane Priscilla. “In her district, those members do not have someone to call for help.”

While the House typically swears in members en masse at the start of a new Congress, special election winners like Grijalva are sworn in individually. Johnson has pointed out that the House has not been in full session since her election, but Democrats have highlighted instances where other members were sworn in promptly during brief sessions.

As the standoff continues, Grijalva remains unable to collect a congressional salary, move into her late father’s office, hire staff, or provide essential constituent services. Her brief appearance on the House floor during a pro forma session on September 30 was met with chants of “Swear her in!” from Democrats, but the session ended abruptly.

With pressure mounting from her colleagues and constituents alike, the question remains: how long will it take for Speaker Johnson to relent and allow Grijalva to take her rightful place in Congress?