Why hasn’t Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva been sworn in yet? Democrats cry foul over delays.

October 15, 2025

Adelita Grijalva, elected to Arizona's 7th Congressional District on September 23, has not been sworn in after three weeks, leaving over 800,000 constituents without representation. House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to seat her during pro forma sessions, claiming he's waiting for the government shutdown to end, while Democrats accuse him of deliberately delaying because Grijalva would be the decisive 218th signature on a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related files. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has threatened legal action, calling Johnson's refusal unconstitutional, while Grijalva insists she doesn't need "pomp and circumstance" but simply needs to begin serving her district.

Who is affected

Over 812,000 constituents in Arizona's 7th Congressional District who currently lack representation in Congress
Adelita Grijalva, who won her election but remains unable to take office and serve
Jeffrey Epstein survivors who are seeking transparency about his case
House Democrats who are one signature short on their discharge petition
The three Republican women representatives (Greene, Boebert, and Mace) who are reportedly facing pressure from the White House for signing the petition

What action is being taken

House Speaker Mike Johnson is refusing to swear in Grijalva during pro forma sessions
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is threatening legal action against Johnson
House Democrats are protesting Johnson's decision, including staging a march to his office
The White House is reportedly conducting a pressure campaign targeting Republican women who signed the discharge petition
The House Oversight Committee is conducting an investigation into the Epstein case and has subpoenaed files from the Justice Department and Epstein's estate

Why it matters

Grijalva's absence leaves a large congressional district without representation during a government shutdown
Her swearing-in would provide the final signature needed on a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing Epstein-related files
The situation represents what Democrats call an unprecedented obstruction of a duly elected representative
The delay has constitutional implications regarding representation and the seating of elected officials
The controversy highlights bipartisan interest in transparency around the Epstein case, with lawmakers from both parties supporting release of more information

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th