Adelita Grijalva Left Waiting as Speaker Delays Swearing-In

The newest member of Congress, Adelita Grijalva, traveled to Washington this past week ready to start her job. She's still waiting to be sworn in, and she thinks she knows why.

As Cactus Politics previously reported, Adelita Grijalva won a special election last month to replace her late father, Raúl Grijalva. Arriving at the nation's capital, she expected House Speaker Mike Johnson to swear her into office. Two days later, she returned to Southern Arizona without taking the oath.

"The people of Southern Arizona deserve representation, and I'm ready to get to work. Swear me in NOW [Mike Johnson]!" she shared on social media.

Her Delay

Speaker Johnson says the delay is due to the ongoing government shutdown. He has promised to give members 48 hours' notice before calling them back to Capitol Hill. He states that the House won't return to session until the Senate agrees to a Republican funding bill.

However, Grijalva suspects it’s due to the controversial petition about the Jeffrey Epstein files. Before coming to Washington, she announced plans to sign a discharge petition that would force a vote on releasing government files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The petition requires signatures from 218 House members to be successful. It currently has 217. Grijalva's would be the final one needed.

Speaker Johnson opposes releasing the files; however, a small group of Republicans have joined all House Democrats in supporting the petition.

"I can't think of any other reason. It's not like my being sworn in changes the majority," Grijalva said, noting her addition wouldn't shift party control.

There's no clear timeline for when Grijalva will be sworn in. The government shutdown continues, and she remains unable to start work officially.