House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and GOP leaders blocked the swearing-in of Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) during Tuesday’s pro forma session, delaying her ability to sign a discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote on releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Grijalva, elected last week to replace her late father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, has pledged to add her name to the petition, which sits just one signature short of the 218 needed to bypass Republican leadership. The petition has rare bipartisan support, led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
Democrats noted that Florida Republicans were sworn in during a pro forma session earlier this year, accusing GOP leaders of stalling to shield Trump and the party from a vote they oppose. “There’s no reason why I couldn’t have been sworn in,” Grijalva said, adding that her constituents lack representation as the government nears a shutdown.
A spokesperson for Johnson’s office said Grijalva will be sworn in when the House returns to full session Oct. 7. Until then, the Epstein petition remains stalled one signature shy.
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