Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva Voices Concerns Over Government Shutdown's Impact on Incoming Lawmakers

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An incoming Democratic representative from Arizona finds herself in a state of uncertainty due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Adelita Grijalva shared her challenges on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Monday, stating, “A major issue is the absence of a budget. I lack the authority, privileges, and responsibilities of a fully sworn-in member of Congress.”

Grijalva secured her position in a special election two months ago, succeeding her late father, the long-serving U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Despite her victory, she remains unable to fulfill her duties and represent the 800,000 constituents in her district because Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has yet to swear her in.

The situation is further complicated by Johnson’s refusal to proceed until the current deadlock is resolved, despite pressure from his Republican colleagues who urge him to finalize the process.

Grijalva expressed her frustration, noting, “If you call the CD7 number now, you’ll hear my dad’s voice on the voicemail. We’re unable to take any action.”

“It’s not like because he was my dad, someone just hands me over the keys. It’s kind of like if your father was a pilot, you don’t automatically get all of the information just poured into your head because of that.”

Is Mike Johnson holding up swearing-in because of Epstein files?

As a sworn-in member of Congress, Grijalva would become the 218th vote to discharge the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Democratic members of the House of Representatives have accused Johnson and other Republican lawmakers of delaying a vote on releasing the files. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts suggested Johnson is purposely stalling votes and Grijalva’s swearing-in.

Grijalva told ‘s Vargas she had heard from someone about that specific theory.

“I didn’t think that initially,” acknowledged Grijalva. “It’s very conspiracy theory. Someone came up to me literally on election night and said, ‘He’s not going to swear you in because of those files.’”

“And I thought, ‘No, that can’t be it.’ And here we are, 41 days today that I have been waiting to be sworn in.”

Adelita Grijalva doesn’t foresee situation going to courts

Grijalva made it clear that she doesn’t anticipate going to a judge to get the order to be sworn in by Johnson.

“I think that’s a dangerous precedent to set,” she said. “We didn’t want to be in this position. I reached out to Johnson’s office two times, left voicemails, and went to his office.”

Grijalva added her team went with a group of Democratic women to the caucus, only to find out Johnson wasn’t there. The Arizona attorney general also sent a demand letter on her behalf that wasn’t responded to.