Government Shutdown Delays Swearing-In of Arizona Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva

Adelita Grijalva, elected to represent Arizona's 7th Congressional District, remains unable to be sworn in due to the ongoing government shutdown and the House being out of session. House Speaker Mike Johnson has delayed reconvening Congress until at least mid-October, citing the need for Senate agreement on a continuing resolution to fund the government, and has stated Grijalva will be sworn in once the House returns to session. Democrats criticize this delay as politically motivated, especially since Grijalva's vote is crucial for efforts to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, and note that in past instances, new members have been sworn in during pro-forma sessions even when the House was not fully in session. Grijalva herself has expressed frustration about not having staff or being able to provide constituent services during this period. Republican voices, including Johnson, blame Senate Democrats for the shutdown, while Democratic leaders continue to push for Grijalva's immediate induction. The delay has left constituents of Arizona's 7th District without formal representation for several weeks since the election.