In a significant development for Arizona politics, Democrat Adelita Grijalva is set to be sworn in as a member of Congress on Wednesday. This momentous occasion comes seven weeks after she secured victory in a special election, filling the seat previously held by her late father, Raul Grijalva. House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed during an interview with CNN on Monday night that Grijalva will take the oath of office immediately after the House convenes and prior to voting on a crucial funding bill aimed at reopening the government.
The House plans to initiate voting on the funding package as early as 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Grijalva expressed her disbelief at finally being sworn in, stating, "After seven weeks of waiting, I almost can't believe it's true." However, she also voiced her disappointment that one of her first votes will be on a bill that does not address affordable health care for the American people, highlighting her commitment to health care reform.
Adelita Grijalva triumphed in the special election held on September 23, 2023. The House has been in recess since September 19, when it passed a short-term funding measure proposed by the Republicans. Despite Grijalva's election victory, the delay in her swearing-in has raised concerns among Democrats, particularly since it has been seven weeks without her representation in Congress.
Speaker Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, has faced scrutiny for the extended delay in administering the oath of office to Grijalva. His reasons have varied over time. Initially, he indicated that he would swear her in as soon as she desired. Subsequently, he suggested that the swearing-in would occur as soon as the House reconvened, attributing the postponement to scheduling conflicts and adherence to historical precedents.
Johnson noted that in 2021, it took former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, 25 days to swear in Rep. Julia Letlow of Louisiana, who won a special election during the pandemic. However, Democrats have pointed out that two Florida Republicans were sworn in earlier this year during a pro forma session on April 2, just a day after their special election victories. This discrepancy has fueled claims of partisan bias in the swearing-in process.
As Adelita Grijalva prepares to take her place in Congress, her presence is expected to be pivotal, particularly as she is poised to cast a decisive vote on issues surrounding the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Her journey into Congress marks an essential step in continuing her father's legacy while advocating for the needs and rights of her constituents.