Committee Democrat Urges President Johnson to Swear in the Newly Elected Representative Adelita Grijalva
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus' BOLD PAC committee asked the Speaker of the House of Representatives not to delay the swearing-in of Adelita Grijalva.
Democrat Adelita Grijalva was elected to Congress to represent Arizona. Grijalva was the winner of the special election held Tuesday to fill the seat vacated by her father last March after his death from cancer after holding the office for more than two decades.
But as the House faces an impasse over the federal budget and a potential government shutdown, a political fight is brewing over exactly when Grijalva will be sworn in.
Adelita Grijalva won with more than 68% of the vote, but she is not officially a member of Congress until she is sworn in.
That could happen as early as October 7, the day after the House returns to session.
However, it could be postponed until October 14 or later if House Speaker Mike Johnson waits for official certification of the vote from the Arizona secretary of state.
Waiting could leave Grijalva on the sidelines, unable to vote on some issues where one vote could make or break the difference.
“I think maybe it has to do with the fact that I’m the 218th signatory pushing for the vote on the release of the Epstein files. And, well, I don’t know. So there are a lot of questions. I’m planning to go to Washington on Monday for a town hall with other Democrats. Leader Jeffries has asked us to be there, so I’m going. Even though I don’t have an official position there yet, it’s very clear that I won this election by almost 40 points,” Grijalva told Tucson’s KGUN9 in an interview.
Since House Republican leaders have remained silent on the matter, a Democratic committee is asking the House speaker not to delay Grijalva’s swearing-in.
The president of BOLD PAC, the campaign arm of the Hispanic Caucus, Linda Sanchez, issued the following statement to La Opinion:“Southern Arizonans spoke clearly when they elected Adelita Grijalva by an overwhelming margin. Every day that passes without Adelita holding a seat in Congress is another day her constituents are deprived of a voice on the most important issues, from cutting costs to protecting health care. President Johnson must do his job and give Congresswoman-elect Grijalva her seat immediately. Adelita has earned her place, and the people of Arizona’s 7th District deserve their representation now.”