Several dozen House Democrats marched to Speaker Mike Johnson’s office Tuesday evening, demanding the immediate swearing-in of Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva. The protest came three weeks after she won a special election to fill the seat of her late father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva of Arizona. Chanting “swear her in,” members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus entered Johnson’s office, but the speaker was not present at the time.
Grijalva won the September 23 election with 69% of the vote. Despite the Arizona state government certifying the results, she has yet to be sworn into Congress. She told reporters that her assigned congressional office is currently empty, with no working phones, internet, or computers — leaving her unable to perform basic duties or serve constituents during an ongoing government shutdown.
Speaker Johnson has said Grijalva will be sworn in once the House reconvenes, but with no set date due to the shutdown, Democrats accuse Republicans of deliberately delaying the process. They argue the GOP is trying to maintain its slim majority during critical votes, including one related to the release of sealed documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Grijalva has suggested that political gamesmanship is behind the delay. She noted that her vote could give Democrats the edge needed to force the release of the Epstein files, a measure gaining bipartisan support. “My election is certified. My district deserves its voice in Congress,” she said.
