Grijalva has been in Washington, D.C. this week to advocate her swearing-in. 

“The fact that Southern Arizona is being treated differently raises serious questions about political motivations – especially since I have pledged to become the 218th signature on the discharge petition to force a vote on the Epstein files,” Grijalva said in a post on social media. “Every day that Speaker Johnson delays is another day Southern Arizonans are left without a voice in Congress and without essential in-district services. With federal budget negotiations happening now, our community deserves a seat at the table – not partisan obstruction.”

The other two Democrats in Arizona’s congressional delegation — Reps. Yassamin Ansari and Greg Stanton — have also called for her to be sworn in immediately.

“This is not a coincidence,” Ansari said. “If Adelita Grijalva is sworn into Congress as she should be immediately, she would be the final signature needed to bring this to a vote for the entire House of Representatives.”

“Until she is sworn in, more than 800,000 residents of southern Arizona will remain without a voice in Congress, unnecessarily depriving them representation they are guaranteed by the U.S Constitution. Precedent and practice should also compel the House to act as swiftly as possible,” Stanton said in a statement.

Johnson’s office said he is waiting for the “appropriate paperwork from the state” and that she will be sworn into Congress when “the House returns to session.” 

Still, he recently swore in Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA) last month, just one day after his special election. Johnson also swore in two House Republicans from Florida earlier this year, during a pro forma session, the day after their special elections. 

Other Democrats have questioned his move. Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA) wrote a letter to Johnson inquiring about his continued delay.

“Any delay in swearing in Representative-elect Grijalva unnecessarily deprives her constituents of representation and calls into question if the motive behind the delay is to further avoid the release of the Epstein files,” Clark wrote.

FLUKE OR FORESHADOWING? WHAT DEMOCRATS’ SPECIAL ELECTION WINS MEAN FOR 2026

The Democratic Women’s Caucus also wrote a letter to Johnson asking him to swear in Grijalva immediately. 

“It is common practice in the House of Representatives that Representatives-elect are sworn in immediately following their decisive election, with some being sworn in as little as 24 hours after they have won,” wrote chairwoman Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM). “This instance should be no different.”