Overview

• Speaker Mike Johnson told Arizona Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly he will administer Adelita Grijalva’s oath when the House returns to regular business after the shutdown.
• The discharge petition to compel a floor vote on releasing Epstein-related records sits at 217 signatures, with Grijalva saying she intends to be the 218th once sworn.
• Johnson denied tying the timing to the Epstein effort, called Democrats’ accusation absurd, and argued the House Oversight Committee is already investigating the matter.
• Only the speaker can administer the oath, and Democrats note Johnson swore in two Florida Republicans during brief pro forma sessions earlier this year; Johnson called those exceptions.
• Grijalva, elected two weeks ago to succeed her late father, cannot vote or provide full constituent services until sworn in, leaving her border district without full representation during the shutdown.