Overview

• Arizona officials certified Adelita Grijalva’s special-election win on Oct. 14 and transmitted the certificate of election to the House.
• Attorney General Kris Mayes warned Speaker Mike Johnson that failure to seat Grijalva immediately or provide a firm swearing-in plan will trigger legal action.
• Johnson says the oath will occur when the House returns to legislative session during the shutdown, citing customary practice and the 2021 timing for Rep. Julia Letlow, and he denies any link to the Epstein records fight.
• Democrats argue the delay blocks Grijalva from becoming the 218th signer on a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein, pointing to pro forma swearings-in done for two Florida Republicans in April.
• Grijalva reports limited office functionality and an inability to hire staff until sworn in, while Arizona Democrats’ attempts to secure a pro forma swearing-in have been gaveled down during brief sessions.