"So why is Johnson stalling? It's not because Grijalva's swearing-in threatens the GOP majority; it doesn't. So the only plausible explanation is that she represents the 218th signature on a discharge petition to force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which presumably Donald Trump has instructed Johnson to avoid for as long as possible. This legislation would compel the release of whatever DoJ has on the late sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, which is of great interest not just to Trump critics but to many MAGA conspiracy theorists who believe Epstein was at or near the center of a vast global cabal."
"Johnson's excuse for not letting the citizens of the seventh congressional district of Arizona be represented in Congress is that those mean old Democrats closed down the federal government. First of all, both parties bear at least partial responsibility for the shutdown; Johnson and John Thune refused to negotiate with Democrats over the concessions they requested in exchange for voting to keep the government open. Second, Johnson wasn't compelled to adjourn the House; the Senate has remained in session."
Mike Johnson swore in two Florida Republicans during pro forma sessions while delaying Adelita Grijalva's swearing-in after her Arizona special election win. The House was not in recess and met for a few minutes of business daily, so a swearing-in could occur during pro forma sessions. Johnson blamed Democrats for the government shutdown, though both parties share responsibility and the Senate remained in session. The most plausible motive for the delay is to prevent Grijalva from providing the 218th signature on a discharge petition to force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which would compel DOJ records release on Jeffrey Epstein. Johnson originally set an October 7 swearing-in, then postponed it again, leaving the district unrepresented.
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