The U.S. House of Representatives planned a pro forma legislative session on Friday during the ongoing government shutdown, with Democrats urging the swearing-in of Adelita Grijalva. Grijalva, the winner of a special election in Arizona over three weeks ago, has yet to take the oath of office. Democrats claim that House Speaker Mike Johnson is deliberately delaying her entry due to the potential impact of her vote on bipartisan calls for increased transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein investigations, the deceased child sex offender associated with Donald Trump for years.
Adelita Grijalva, a lifelong Arizona native, has a background as a program director in Pima County juvenile court and has held elected positions on local school and political boards. At 54 years old, she is married with three children and transitioned into federal politics by running for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, left vacant by the passing of her father, Raul, who served in Congress for more than two decades. She secured victory in the special election on September 23, garnering 69% of the vote.
The delay in Grijalva’s swearing-in is attributed to the government shutdown that began on October 1. While Johnson had initially indicated readiness to swear her in promptly, he now blames Democrat Sen. Chuck Schumer for the shutdown and cites scheduling issues. Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has demanded Grijalva’s immediate swearing-in to prevent partisan advantage from undermining the integrity of the institution.
Concerns have been raised over the delay, with Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes threatening legal action against Johnson for denying representation to around 813,000 Arizonans due to Grijalva’s delayed entry. Democrats allege that Johnson’s reluctance to swear Grijalva in is linked to efforts to postpone any vote related to the Epstein case, a matter that has been contentious for the Trump administration and the Republican Party.
Despite Johnson’s denial of any connection between the delay and the Epstein discharge petition, tensions persist within the House, with Republicans and Democrats divided on the issue. The controversy surrounding Epstein’s case and the potential repercussions for high-profile individuals remain at the forefront, with partisan motives coming into play as the situation unfolds.