Adelita Grijalva sworn in as House's newest member, paving way for Epstein files vote

"Grijalva was sworn in by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Wednesday shortly before the House returned to session to vote on a deal to fund the federal government. After delivering a floor speech, Grijalva signed a discharge petition to eventually trigger a vote to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, giving it the needed 218 signatures. The seating of Grijalva brings an end to a weekslong delay that she and other Democrats said was intended to prevent her signature on the Epstein petition."

"Johnson had refused to seat Grijalva while the chamber was out of session, a decision that prompted condemnation from Grijalva, a lawsuit from Arizona's attorney general and speculation that Johnson was delaying her induction into the House to stall a vote on whether to require the Justice Department release documents related to the late convicted sex trafficker. Grijalva had said she would join the petition from Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., after taking office, giving it the 218 signatures needed."

Adelita Grijalva was sworn into the U.S. House, ending a more than seven-week delay and bringing the Republican majority to 220-214. She signed a discharge petition that reached the 218 signatures needed to compel release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. She delivered a floor speech pledging to continue her father's progressive legacy on environmentalism, labor rights and tribal sovereignty, and called for restoring checks and balances. House Speaker Mike Johnson had previously refused to seat her while the chamber was out of session, prompting condemnation, a lawsuit by Arizona's attorney general and accusations of delaying the petition vote.

Read at ABC7 Los Angeles