1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern about the reported refusal or delay by House leadership to administer the oath of office to Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva. As I understand it: • Grijalva won a special election on September 23, 2025, to represent Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, by a decisive margin. • Yet as of now, she has not been sworn in, even though the necessary paperwork appears to have been transmitted by the State. • House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republican leadership have denied requests from Democrats to swear her in during pro forma sessions or recess days. • Democrats argue that this delay may be politically motivated, especially because Grijalva’s vote could be the decisive 218th signature on a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing unclassified Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein. • Meanwhile, precedent exists: earlier this year, two Republican members — Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine — were sworn in during pro forma sessions when the House was not fully in session. • Critics point out that by withholding her swearing-in, more than 800,000 constituents are left without representation, and Grijalva cannot hire staff, operate an office, or perform constituent services. This situation raises serious questions about equal treatment, procedural fairness, and the fundamental constitutional principle that all citizens deserve representation. I respectfully urge you, in your role as my representative, to: 1. Call for full and transparent enforcement of House rules to ensure that every duly elected Member-elect is sworn in without delay, regardless of party affiliation. 2. Demand clarification from House leadership as to why precedent was followed for some new members but apparently withheld in this case, and whether political motives are influencing the decision. 3. Support mechanisms (such as pro forma sessions or special swearing-in arrangements) that prevent constituents from being deprived of representation while formal processes are resolved. 4. Advocate for safeguards to prevent future delays—whether intentional or institutional—that disenfranchise voters by withholding representation. The integrity of our democratic institutions depends on fairness and consistency in how Congress treats its members and the people they represent. Delaying or denying a swearing-in undermines that integrity and erodes public trust.