Adelita Grijalva is sworn in, clearing path for Epstein files vote

(MENAFN) US Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva was officially sworn into Congress on Wednesday by House Speaker Mike Johnson, ending a seven-week delay that had prevented her from taking office and setting the stage for a potential vote to make the Jeffrey Epstein records public.

The House had been in recess since Sept. 19, and Johnson reportedly postponed Grijalva’s swearing-in during the ongoing 43-day government shutdown.

Speaking on the House floor for the first time after the ceremony, Grijalva noted that it had been 50 days since her election, saying, "50 days that over 800,000 Arizonians have been left without access to the basic services that every constituent deserves. This is an abuse of power.

One individual should not be able to unilaterally obstruct the swearing in of a duly elected member of Congress for political reasons."

Referring to new emails concerning President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, she emphasized the need for greater congressional oversight. "I will sign the discharge petition right now to release the Epstein files. Justice cannot wait another day," she said.

Grijalva’s signature provided the crucial 218th endorsement required to move the discharge petition forward, obligating the House to vote on whether to make Epstein-related documents publicly accessible.

The Arizona Democrat, who won a special election on Sept. 23 to succeed her late father, Rep. Raul Grijalva, who passed away in March, officially assumes her role as a voting member of the chamber.

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