Adelita Grijalva won the Sept. 23 special election in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, but as of Nov. 5 House Speaker Mike Johnson has not sworn her in, linking the timing to the ongoing federal shutdown. Democrats and some advocates say her first act could be to complete a discharge petition on releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related records; Johnson denies any connection.
Adelita Grijalva, 54, captured Arizona’s 7th Congressional District in a Sept. 23 special election called after the March 13 death of her father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Multiple outlets reported she won by roughly a two-to-one margin over Republican Daniel Butierez, making her the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress. The seat has remained unfilled more than six weeks later. (reuters.com)
House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will administer the oath when the House returns and the government is reopened. In early October, he told Arizona’s Democratic senators, Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, “I am anxious to administer the oath to her as soon as you guys vote to open the government,” tying her seating to the shutdown that began Oct. 1. Johnson has rejected claims that the delay is related to the Epstein files effort. (washingtonpost.com)
The handling contrasts with other recent cases. In April, Johnson swore in two Florida Republicans—Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine—during a pro forma session. In September, he swore in Virginia Democrat James Walkinshaw even before his certificate of election had arrived, according to the Congressional Record. (deseret.com)
There is precedent for swearing in members during a shutdown: the 116th Congress was sworn in on Jan. 3, 2019, while a partial shutdown was underway. (washingtonpost.com)
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed suit on Oct. 21 seeking to compel a swearing-in, or to allow another authorized official to administer the oath if the Speaker refuses. Johnson’s office has argued the House will seat Grijalva when it reconvenes. (azmirror.com)
Until she takes the oath, Grijalva cannot hire staff, open official offices, or perform core constituent services. She has said her nameplate is on the office door in the Longworth Building, but the keys aren’t hers yet. Local and national coverage has documented shuttered offices and an inability to onboard staff or co-sponsor bills. (cronkitenews.azpbs.org)
The delay comes as the shutdown strains safety-net programs. Arizona officials estimate roughly 855,000 to 923,000 Arizonans—about 433,000 households—could miss or face delays in November SNAP benefits absent federal action; courts in late October ordered USDA to use contingency funds to keep SNAP flowing nationwide. Local food banks and community groups have announced expanded food distributions to fill gaps. Veterans’ services remain partly operational due to advance appropriations, but VA regional benefits offices and key hotlines are closed, creating access problems for student veterans and others. (des.az.gov)
A central point of contention is a bipartisan discharge petition to force a House vote on releasing federal investigative records related to Jeffrey Epstein. The petition stood one signature short of the 218 needed after other recent special elections; Grijalva has said she would sign it upon being sworn. Johnson has opposed the discharge route and urged Republicans not to back it, though he says Grijalva’s delay is unrelated. Even if the petition succeeds, any bill would still need to pass the Senate and secure the president’s signature. (cbsnews.com)
Grijalva has framed her service as an extension of her father’s legacy in southern Arizona. Raúl Grijalva, a progressive stalwart and former Natural Resources Committee chair, died March 13 at age 77. His death triggered the vacancy and, ultimately, September’s special election. (apnews.com)
As of Nov. 5, with the shutdown still in effect, Johnson has not scheduled her swearing-in. Her district remains without a voting member while the standoff continues. (reuters.com)
