WASHINGTON – House Speaker Mike johnson faced pointed questions Tuesday regarding the delayed swearing-in of Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), a delay that has prevented her from fully participating in congressional duties for nearly three months. The situation highlights ongoing tensions and procedural hurdles within the narrowly divided House, and raises concerns about equitable treatment of all elected officials.
Grijalva won her election in November but has been unable to officially take office due to a dispute over the timing of the swearing-in ceremony. The delay stems from a Republican motion to table a resolution to administer the oath of office, effectively stalling the process. This prevents Grijalva from voting on legislation, fully serving her constituents, and participating in committee assignments. The situation is especially notable given the House’s already slim Republican majority, where every vote is crucial.
during a press conference, Johnson appeared uncomfortable when pressed by reporters about the delay. A clip circulating on social media shows Johnson repeatedly avoiding a direct answer, stating only that the matter is “being worked through.” he offered no specific timeline for when Grijalva will be sworn in.
“We’re looking at the scheduling issues and trying to work through that,” Johnson said, according to the clip. When asked why Grijalva hadn’t been sworn in despite the passage of months, he responded, “It’s a complicated situation.”
Democrats have criticized the delay as a partisan tactic to suppress the voice of a progressive Latina representative. Rep. pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) called the situation “unacceptable” and accused Republicans of “playing political games.”
The House typically swears in new members promptly after certification of election results. While procedural delays can occur, a delay of this length is highly unusual. The delay impacts not only Grijalva and her constituents but also the functioning of the house, as it reduces the Democratic caucus’s voting strength.
The situation remains unresolved as of Wednesday morning, with no immediate plans announced to bring a resolution to the floor.The outcome will likely depend on whether Republican leadership decides to allow a vote on the swearing-in resolution or continues to delay the process.
