After more than seven weeks of political limbo, Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva of Arizona was officially sworn into office on Wednesday, ending a contentious standoff with House Speaker Mike Johnson that drew criticism from both sides of the aisle.
The Controversial Delay
Grijalva was elected to represent Arizona's 7th Congressional District on September 23 during a special election, but her path to taking office encountered unexpected resistance. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, refused to administer the oath of office, stating he would wait until the House returned to session during what became the longest government shutdown in American history.
The Speaker's position appeared inconsistent with past practices, as Johnson had previously sworn in two Republican House members when the lower chamber was out of session. This discrepancy prompted Grijalva and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to take legal action last month, filing a lawsuit against the House of Representatives over Johnson's refusal to seat the democratically elected representative.
Impact on Constituent Services
In early October, Grijalva escalated her concerns through an open letter to Johnson, accusing him of harming the people she was elected to represent. The delay prevented her from hiring staff, opening district offices, or responding to constituent concerns, effectively leaving Southern Arizona without essential congressional services.
"The delay in swearing me in is robbing the people of Southern Arizona of essential constituent services," Grijalva stated in her letter. Her inability to perform basic congressional functions during the extended transition period created practical challenges for residents needing assistance with federal matters.
Bipartisan Pressure and Resolution
The Speaker's stance drew unusual bipartisan criticism, with even Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah publicly urging Johnson to swear in Grijalva. During a C-SPAN appearance last month, Curtis carefully expressed his respect for Johnson while emphasizing that "the will of the people of Arizona have spoken."
"In my opinion, the will of the people have spoken," Curtis added. "Let's get her to work."
The pressure culminated in a conference call with House Republicans on Monday, where Johnson reportedly promised that the "first order of business will be to administer the oath to Grijalva." This commitment paved the way for Wednesday's long-awaited swearing-in ceremony.
Democratic critics had previously suggested that Johnson's delay was politically motivated, noting that Grijalva represents the key 218th vote for a bipartisan petition related to the release of files concerning Jeffrey Epstein, the late sex trafficker who had connections to numerous powerful figures, including former President Donald Trump.
With her oath finally administered, Grijalva can now fully assume her responsibilities representing Arizona's 7th Congressional District, ending a nearly two-month period where constituents lacked complete representation in the House.
