Overview

• Presiding over Tuesday’s brief pro forma session, Rep. Morgan Griffith adjourned without recognizing Democrats’ calls to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva.
• Speaker Mike Johnson’s office said Grijalva will be sworn in when the House returns to regular session, currently scheduled for Oct. 7.
• Grijalva’s oath would supply the 218th name on a discharge petition to compel a floor vote on releasing Epstein files, which now includes Republicans Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Nancy Mace and Lauren Boebert.
• Democrats cite recent quick swearing-ins during pro forma sessions for Reps. Randy Fine, Jimmy Patronis and James Walkinshaw, while GOP leaders say waiting for a regular session is standard practice.
• Grijalva says the delay prevents her from hiring staff and fully serving constituents, as Republican leaders argue the Epstein measure lacks adequate victim protections and note ongoing Oversight inquiries.