Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat from Arizona, was officially sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday by House Speaker Mike Johnson. Her swearing-in marks the conclusion of a bitter seven-week impasse. This delay prevented her from being seated after her win in the late September special election. State senator and environmental activist Grijalva beat out her father, Raúl Grijalva, the iconic and much-loved congressman who died in March.
Her forthcoming arrival in Congress could not be more timely or more important. She is now the 218th and last signature on a bipartisan discharge petition, which forces an automatic House floor vote on bipartisan legislation calling on the Justice Department to release additional documents relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This announcement has drawn considerable angst from Republicans, as it reduces their already slim majority in the House.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for justice,” said Grijalva during her floor speech. “Justice cannot wait another day, adelante.“
Adelita Grijalva was finally sworn into office after a long court battle. This conflict led to criticism of Speaker Johnson, asserting that he blocked her from being seated to postpone the Epstein vote. For one, Democrats argued that Johnson’s assertion that Grijalva was unable to be sworn in without the chamber in session was legally baseless. In reaction, Arizona’s Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes responded by suing to force Johnson to seat Grijalva.
Grijalva won access to her congressional seat with great passion. As her hand raised to take her oath, she could feel the weight of her father’s legacy all around her. She called Congressman Raúl Grijalva, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, as a champion for the impoverished and vulnerable. She began by celebrating his incredible trajectory from vaquero to congressman.
Grijalva sat down with a new sense of pride. I told you she would be warmly received, thanks to the fact that she continues her father’s impressive legacy in Congress, GOP Congressman Paul Gosar. “She follows in her late father’s footsteps,” he said.
In her inaugural address, Adelita Grijalva stated her intention to stay connected to the concerns of constituents. She touched on urgent issues confronting the country, such as the high cost of healthcare and the need for social justice. “Basic freedoms are under attack. Healthcare premiums are skyrocketing,” she asserted.
Among Grijalva’s supporters were victims of Epstein’s exploitation. Among them were our own Liz Stein and Jessica Michaels, who watched from the House gallery as she was sworn in. Their presence underscored the importance of Grijalva’s role in pushing for transparency regarding Epstein’s case.
The political atmosphere in which Grijalva is being sworn-in is still very incendiary, with most Democrats continuing to feel that the long holdup was deliberate. In addition, Speaker Johnson’s condescending insinuation that Grijalva somehow doesn’t understand how things work in congress has been received with disdain. He commented, “Bless her heart. She is representative-elect. She doesn’t know how it works around here.”