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Democrat Adelita Grijalva took the oath of office Wednesday as the newest member of Congress, ending a controversial seven-week delay since her special election victory in Arizona.
Grijalva was sworn in by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., just before lawmakers returned to vote on a federal government funding deal. Her arrival narrows the Republican House majority to 220-214.
The extended delay in her swearing-in had sparked significant controversy. Democrats accused Johnson of deliberately postponing her induction to prevent her from becoming the decisive 218th signature on a petition to force a vote on releasing documents related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
“I don’t think he’s thought of anything that he’s doing, in this case, as anything personal,” Grijalva told The Associated Press in an interview. “It feels personal because, literally, my name was attached. I also know that if I were a Republican, I would have been sworn in seven weeks ago.”
The delay prompted legal action from Arizona’s attorney general. Johnson had previously sworn in two Republican members this year when the chamber was not in legislative session but refused to do the same for Grijalva, citing the House being out of session since September 19.
Grijalva succeeds her father, the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who died in March after more than two decades representing Arizona’s predominantly Hispanic district, where Democrats enjoy a nearly 2-to-1 voter registration advantage. She has vowed to continue her father’s progressive legacy on environmental justice, tribal sovereignty and labor rights.
“I know that the bar is set very high, and the expectation is high of what we’re going to be able to do once sworn in,” Grijalva said. In a poignant reflection, she added, “I would rather have my dad than have an office.”
Grijalva’s political experience includes service on the Tucson Unified School District board and the Pima County Board of Supervisors, where she became only the second woman to lead the board.
Her first official act as a representative will be voting on legislation to reopen the government. She and most Democrats are expected to oppose the measure because it does not extend Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at year’s end. Despite this opposition, Republicans are likely to pass the bill with their slim majority.
The controversy surrounding her delayed swearing-in centers on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation requiring the Justice Department to release all unclassified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. Grijalva is expected to become the final necessary signature on a discharge petition to force a vote on the measure.
The bill, co-sponsored by Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democrat Ro Khanna of California, has garnered support from all House Democrats and three Republicans: Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, and Nancy Mace of South Carolina.
According to Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, voting on the Epstein bill is expected to take place in early December, even with Grijalva’s signature on the petition.
The Epstein issue gained renewed attention Wednesday when Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released emails in which Epstein claimed former President Donald Trump had “spent hours” at his house with a sex trafficking victim and “knew about the girls.” The White House disputed these claims, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, “The Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.”
Republicans on the committee noted that the person referenced was Virginia Giuffre, who before her death this year had consistently maintained that Trump was not among the men who victimized her, despite her accusations against other powerful associates of Epstein.
As Grijalva begins her tenure in Congress, she faces both the challenge of living up to her father’s legacy and navigating the highly charged political atmosphere of a deeply divided House.
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10 Comments
As an investor in gold and silver mining equities, I’ll be watching this vote closely. Anything related to Epstein could have ripple effects across the commodities markets.
Absolutely. The precious metals space is no stranger to scandals and corruption, so Epstein’s connections there could be very revealing.
Interesting that Grijalva’s swearing-in was delayed, seems like a political tactic to limit her influence. I wonder what the Epstein files vote is about and if it will uncover any new information.
Yes, the delay is concerning and smacks of partisan politics. It will be important to see what the Epstein files vote uncovers, if anything.
The mining and commodities sectors will likely be watching this vote closely, as the Epstein revelations could have implications for those industries. I hope the process is fair and transparent.
Agreed. Any new information on Epstein’s connections and activities could send shockwaves through the business world, especially in extractive industries.
I’m skeptical that the Epstein files vote will uncover anything truly new, given how the case has been covered up for years. But it’s still important for Congress to do its oversight duty.
I share your skepticism. The Epstein saga has been shrouded in mystery, but maybe this vote will at least shine some light on the matter, even if it’s not a bombshell.
As someone interested in the lithium and rare earth elements space, I’ll be keen to see if the Epstein files contain any insights into those supply chains. Transparency is sorely needed in the critical minerals sector.
Good point. The extractive industries have long been associated with shady dealings, so any revelations about Epstein’s involvement could be eye-opening.