Arizona Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva has not been sworn in two weeks after her special-election win, as House leaders set Oct. 7-13 as a district work period with no floor votes scheduled [time.com#3][nytimes.com#1]. The delay also prevents her from signing a petition seeking a House vote to release federal files related to Jeffrey Epstein; supporters say her signature would be the 218th needed [nytimes.com#1][elpais.com#6]. Speaker Mike Johnson has cited the government shutdown and scheduling constraints after previously promising to swear her in early this week [time.com#3].
Highlights:
- House schedule: Speaker Mike Johnson announced Oct. 7-13 as a district work period, canceling previously scheduled votes and leaving the House effectively out of session [time.com#3].
- Member status: Two weeks after winning Arizona’s 7th District special election, Grijalva remains unelevated to office [time.com#3][nytimes.com#1].
- Epstein petition: Grijalva has pledged to sign a petition to force a vote on releasing Epstein-related federal files, and backers say her signature would be the 218th [nytimes.com#1][elpais.com#6][time.com#3].
- Speaker’s rationale: Johnson linked the recess to the ongoing shutdown dispute, noting the House passed a continuing resolution that the Senate rejected [time.com#3].
- Democrats’ view: Democrats allege the swearing-in delay aims to avoid an Epstein-related vote in the House [msnbc.com#4][seattletimes.com#2].
The first thing I’ll do is sign the petition for the release of the Epstein files – Adelita Grijalva
Perspectives:
- Adelita Grijalva: She plans to immediately sign the petition to force a House vote on releasing Epstein-related files once sworn in. (El País (English))
- Speaker Mike Johnson: He attributed the delay to the shutdown and scheduling, saying the House would swear her in when members return, after earlier promising it would happen early this week. (TIME)
- House Democrats: They argue the delay is intended to prevent a vote on releasing the Epstein files. (MSNBC)
Sources:
- Elected but Not Seated, Grijalva Waits to Sign Epstein Petition – nytimes.com
- Elected but not seated, Grijalva waits to sign Epstein petition – seattletimes.com
- What to Know About Adelita Grijalva, Her Stalled Swearing-In, and Her Crucial Epstein Vote – time.com
- Democrat accuses Mike Johnson of ‘suspicious’ delay of swearing-in to avoid Epstein vote – msnbc.com
- Are the Epstein files playing a role in delaying the GOP from swearing in new Arizona Dem? – reddit.com
- Adelita Grijalva: ‘The first thing I’ll do is sign the petition for the release of the Epstein files’ – elpais.com
