New lawmaker not seated during recess; Epstein files effort stuck at 217 signatures
House Republicans declined to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., during Tuesday’s brief pro-forma session, saying she’ll be seated when the House returns. The delay prevents Grijalva from providing the required 218th signature on a petition to force a vote on releasing documents concerning sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“Swear her in!” Democrats shouted as Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., moved to adjourn the pro-forma session, Mediaite reported. Grijalva, who won a Sept. 23 special election to succeed her late father, former Rep. Raúl Grijalva, has been in Washington this week. She told reporters there was “no reason” she could not be sworn in.
What Republicans say about timing
A spokesperson for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Grijalva will be sworn in when the House returns to regular session, currently scheduled for Tuesday, “as is standard practice,” The Hill reported.
Grijalva said two Florida Republicans were sworn in during a pro-forma session earlier this year.
How one oath affects the Epstein files vote
Backers of the Epstein discharge petition — led by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif. — are at 217 signatures, one short of the number needed to force a vote. Grijalva has pledged to sign upon being sworn in. Politico reported Grijalva would be the “clinching supporter.”
Republican leaders argue that the bill doesn’t adequately protect victims and note the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is already investigating the matter.
What paperwork and precedent are in dispute
MSNBC’s Maddow Blog reported that the House clerk has received notification from Arizona officials identifying Grijalva as the unofficial winner of the special election.
Democrats on the House Administration Committee told the outlet that such documentation “has been sufficient to swear in multiple members of Congress.”
Johnson’s office has said it is waiting for the “appropriate paperwork.”
What changes now
Johnson’s decision not to swear in Grijalva during recess does not alter current vote math on spending bills, The Hill reported.
A shutdown would not prevent a swearing-in. The full House took the oath at the start of the 2019 Congress during a shutdown.
Grijalva said the delay leaves her constituents without representation or services until she can take the oath.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
