GovernmentElections
November 12, 2025Rep. Adelita Grijalva sworn in after Johnson keeps seat vacant for seven weeks
Johnson's seven-week delay prevented Grijalva from signing petition that would force Epstein files vote
Rep. Adelita Grijalva was sworn in on Nov. 12, 2025, seven weeks after winning a special election on Sept. 23, 2025. She won the seat to replace her father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who died in Mar. 2025. The seat was vacant for seven months from her father's death until her swearing-in.
Speaker Mike Johnson kept the House in recess during the government shutdown and refused to seat Grijalva during pro forma sessions. Democrats demanded he seat her immediately but Johnson declined. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sued the House of Representatives over the delay.
Grijalva was sworn in just before the House voted on government funding
She became the 218th signature on the discharge petition to force a vote releasing Epstein files
The discharge petition needed 218 signatures to succeed Johnson's delay was widely interpreted as an attempt to prevent her from signing.
After being sworn in, the GOP majority shrunk to 219-214. Grijalva told CNN she would confront Johnson about the delay, saying This kind of obstruction cannot happen again. She called the seven-week delay unprecedented and harmful to her constituents.
Arizona's 7th District went unrepresented in the House for seven months
Constituents couldn't access normal congressional services during that time
The district includes parts of Phoenix and extends to the Arizona-Mexico border Grijalva's father represented the district for over 20 years.
Timeline
Jeffrey Epstein accountability timeline
Nov 12, 2025
LegislativeMajor
Rep. Adelita Grijalva Sworn In After Record 50-Day Delay by Speaker Johnson
Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva was sworn into the House on November 12, 2025, 50 days after winning her September 23 special election — the longest delay for any member after a special election win. Speaker Mike Johnson had refused to seat her during the shutdown. Grijalva immediately signed a bipartisan discharge petition to release Epstein files, becoming the 218th signature needed to force a House floor vote.
Nov 12, 2025
Main
Rep. Adelita Grijalva sworn in after Johnson keeps seat vacant for seven weeks
Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) was sworn in Nov. 12, 2025, seven weeks after winning the Sept. 23 special election to replace her late father Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who died in Mar. 2025. Speaker Mike Johnson kept the House in recess during the shutdown and refused to seat her during pro forma sessions despite Democratic demands. Arizona"s Attorney General sued the House over the delay. Grijalva was sworn in before the government funding vote and became the 218th signature on the Epstein files discharge petition. Johnson"s delay was widely seen as an attempt to prevent her from signing the petition. Her seat was vacant for seven months total from her father"s death until her swearing-in.
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