Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) took her oath of office Wednesday, promising to champion LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant communities, and survivors of sexual abuse. Her swearing-in came 50 days after her victory in a special election, a delay caused by a dispute over certification during a government shutdown.
Grijalva wasted no time after being sworn in, signing a discharge petition to make public government records on convicted and deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s high-profile clients. The petition now has the 218 signatures needed for a House floor vote in the coming weeks.
“Fighting for the American People”
In her first address to Congress, Grijalva laid out a broad agenda.
“We need to fight for our immigrant communities and our veterans. We need to stand up for our public schools, children, and educators. We need to respect tribal sovereignty and our environment. We need to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights because that’s what the American people expect us to do, fight for them,” she said.
She also highlighted the voices of survivors, acknowledging Liz Stein and Jessica Michaels, who were seated in the congressional gallery.
“Our Democracy only works when everyone has a voice. This includes the millions of people across the country who have experienced violence and exploitation,” Grijalva added.
She closed her speech in Spanish: “Adelante mi gente. Muchas gracias!,” “Forward, my people. Thanks very much!”
Delay in Swearing-In Draws Criticism
Grijalva’s path to Congress was complicated. She won the September 23 special election to fill the seat left vacant by her father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s death. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) initially refused to swear her in before the government shutdown, citing election certification concerns. Critics, including oversight Democrats, argue this delay was politically motivated to protect high-profile figures implicated in Epstein-related investigations.
Epstein Files and Congressional Action
Grijalva’s swift action on the discharge petition comes as new emails suggest former President Donald Trump may have known more about Epstein’s abuses than previously disclosed. Democrats accuse Republicans of delaying Grijalva’s swearing-in to slow the release of potentially incriminating information.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, praised Grijalva:
“Rep. Grijalva is a fierce supporter of justice and survivors. We applaud her immediate action to sign our legislative effort to release the Epstein files.”
Leger Fernández added that Speaker Johnson “has protected pedophiles by delaying this vote for far too long” and urged that the House hold a vote promptly.
The episode also resonates for the LGBTQ+ community, as far-right rhetoric has increasingly targeted queer people and allies with false claims of child grooming. Grijalva’s swearing-in signals a commitment to countering both misinformation and systemic injustices.
