Overview

• Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won Arizona’s 7th District on Sept. 23, remains unsworn as Speaker Mike Johnson says the House must be in session and has canceled votes through Oct. 14.
• Grijalva has pledged to be the 218th signer on Rep. Thomas Massie’s discharge petition seeking Justice Department records on Jeffrey Epstein, which currently stands at 217 signatures.
• Under House rules, reaching 218 signatures would freeze the petition, print it in the record, and start a wait of seven legislative days before a floor vote could be requested.
• Democrats cite GOP members sworn in during past pro forma sessions as evidence swearing-in could proceed, while Johnson insists he will administer the oath when the House returns.
• Republican leaders point to the Oversight Committee’s ongoing inquiry, DOJ’s recent document transfers, and Johnson’s call for “maximum disclosure,” as a White House official previously signaled opposition to the petition approach.