The political landscape in Arizona is currently embroiled in controversy as state Attorney General Kris Mayes has taken legal action against the U.S. House of Representatives. The lawsuit centers around the delay in swearing in Adelita Grijalva, who recently won a special election to assume her late father’s Congressional seat.
As reported by CBS News, Mayes has sought a court ruling from the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., asserting that Grijalva is entitled to her position in the House of Representatives as soon as she takes the legally mandated oath. Despite her election victory, the House has not convened since September 19, and House Majority Speaker Mike Johnson has held off on calling a session amid the ongoing government shutdown.
Mayes expressed her concerns, stating, “Speaker Mike Johnson is actively stripping the people of Arizona of one of their seats in Congress and disenfranchising the voters of Arizona’s seventh Congressional district in the process,” according to NBC News. She emphasized that blocking Grijalva from office results in “taxation without representation” for her constituents.
The lawsuit further suggests that if Johnson does not proceed with the swearing-in, Grijalva should become a member through any authorized individual under U.S., D.C., or Arizona law. Johnson dismissed the lawsuit as “patently absurd,” stating, “We run the House. She has no jurisdiction. We’re following the precedent.”
Grijalva, joined by House Minority Speaker Hakeem Jeffries at a press conference, criticized the delay as disrespectful to her voters and Arizona. “It’s a disgrace,” Jeffries remarked, highlighting the impact on her 812,000 supporters.
The delay has significant political implications. Grijalva’s election narrows the Republican margin in the House, with the potential for a further shift if a Democrat secures the Texas seat of the late Sylvester Turner. This tight margin has prompted Republicans to intensify their redistricting efforts across multiple states, as noted in a recent campaign report.
While Johnson has pledged to swear in Grijalva post-shutdown, there are accusations that the delay is a strategic move to prevent her from signing a discharge petition related to the Epstein files. Critics also point to the swift swearing-in of two Florida Republicans earlier this year, questioning why Grijalva, who was already in D.C., was not afforded a similar session.
SEE ALSO:
Mike Johnson Is Using His Power To Delay Release Of Epstein Files
Adelita Grijalva’s Special Election Victory Narrows GOP House Majority
