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24m ago

Johnson Says He’ll Schedule Adelita Grijalva’s Oath as Pressure Builds Over Epstein Files Petition

Democrats say the holdup blocks her from becoming the 218th signer on a bid to force release of Justice Department Epstein records.

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Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat from Arizona, speaks to members of the press at the US Capitol on September 30.
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Arizona Democratic candidate Adelita Grijalva speaks to supporters after being declared the winner against Republican Daniel Butierez to fill the Congressional District 7 seat held by the late U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva in a special election Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Overview

  • Nearly two weeks after her Sept. 23 special-election win, Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva remains unsworn and says she has heard no timeline from House leaders.
  • Speaker Mike Johnson told CNN the delay is unrelated to the Epstein discharge petition and said he would swear her in when the House returns, later adding it could be scheduled as soon as she wants.
  • Democrats point to recent pro forma swear-ins for other members and note that a pro forma session on Monday ended quickly as Rep. Jim McGovern sought a commitment to seat Grijalva.
  • Grijalva is expected to be the 218th signer on Rep. Thomas Massie’s bipartisan petition to force a vote to release Epstein-related DOJ files, which already includes Republicans Marjorie Taylor Greene, Nancy Mace and Lauren Boebert.
  • Under House rules, once a discharge petition hits 218 signatures it is entered into the record and must sit for seven legislative days before a vote can be sought, while Arizona’s 7th District currently lacks constituent services because her predecessor’s office closed.