Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) clarified that the delay in swearing in Democratic leader Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) has nothing to do with her upcoming signature aimed at forcing the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
“It’s not connected to that issue. I’ll administer the oath when everyone is back,” Johnson said during a press conference on Tuesday.
When asked about the timing of her oath, he didn’t provide a specific answer.
Grijalva secured her position in a special election for the Arizona seat on September 23rd. This long-held seat was previously held by her father, Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.). Despite her decisive victory, she has yet to be sworn in.
The delay impacts ongoing efforts to push House leadership on bills that would compel the Department of Justice to release the so-called Epstein Files. Grijalva’s signature is critical for a procedural tactic involving a discharge petition designed to prompt a lawsuit. However, GOP leaders contend that this bill is unnecessary, as the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is already investigating Epstein’s case.
Republican leadership also canceled previously scheduled election dates from September 29th to 30th, just days before the government’s shutdown deadline. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are pushing for funding for a “clean” stopgap measure created by the GOP that would extend until November 21st.
Even with the House out of session, there was a brief “pro forma” meeting conducted by the Chamber of Commerce, which allowed the House to convene temporarily for procedural reasons.
“We’re in a pro forma session because there’s currently nothing for the House to address, and we’ve completed our work,” Johnson stated on Tuesday.
Democrats are pressing for Grijalva to be sworn in during these pro forma sessions, citing a similar precedent from earlier this year.
Notably, two Republican representatives from Florida were sworn in during a pro forma session on April 2, the day following their special election.
“There’s really no reason I can’t proceed with the oath. It’s quite troubling, especially with the government shutdown looming. Everyone seems to agree on this,” Johnson noted.
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), a leading Democrat on the House Rules Committee, attended the Chamber of Commerce during his normal pro forma session Monday to seek a Republican commitment regarding Grijalva. However, Rules Committee Chair Virginia Fox (R-N.C.) declined to let McGovern make his request.
“The situation remains unresolved,” McGovern remarked to reporters.
The next pro forma session in the House is set for Wednesday.
