Overview
- Adelita Grijalva won Arizona’s 7th District special election on Sept. 23 and remains unsworn nearly a month later as Speaker Mike Johnson keeps the House out of regular session during the shutdown.
- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed suit in U.S. District Court in Washington seeking a ruling that Grijalva is a member once she takes the prescribed oath and permission for another authorized official to administer it if the Speaker refuses.
- Johnson called the lawsuit "patently absurd," says he will administer the oath when the House reconvenes, and cites a Pelosi-era recess precedent, while critics note he swore in two Republicans during a pro forma session in April.
- State officials and Grijalva say the delay denies representation to more than 800,000 constituents and prevents basic functions such as hiring staff, opening offices, and voting.
- Democrats contend the holdup prevents Grijalva from providing the 218th signature on a discharge petition to force a vote on Jeffrey Epstein–related records, a claim Johnson denies.