News Summary
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed a lawsuit against House Speaker Mike Johnson regarding the delayed swearing-in of Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva. Grijalva won a special election in September and is seeking to represent Arizona’s 7th District, occupied previously by her late father. Mayes claims the delay denies approximately 813,000 residents their rightful representation. The lawsuit challenges Johnson’s stance, which links the swearing-in process to the ongoing government shutdown. The outcome could set a precedent for congressional representation rights amid political tensions.
Arizona – Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against House Speaker Mike Johnson over the delay in swearing in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won a special election in September. Grijalva, a Democrat, is poised to fill the seat previously held by her late father, former Rep. Raúl Grijalva. The case highlights not only the urgency of the situation for Arizona’s 7th District but also the broader implications of congressional representation amid a government shutdown.
The heart of the lawsuit is Mayes’ claim that the delay in seating Grijalva is depriving the approximately 813,000 residents of Arizona’s 7th District of their rightful congressional representation. Grijalva was elected during a special election on September 23, yet her swearing-in has been held up because Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, stated he will proceed only if Senate Democrats agree to reopen the government—a scenario that remains uncertain as the shutdown has persisted for 21 days and shows no signs of resolution.
The lawsuit, which lists the state of Arizona and Grijalva as plaintiffs, objects to Johnson’s stance. It asserts that the U.S. Constitution does not specify who is required to administer the oath of office to a new House member, suggesting that Johnson has no grounds to delay the process. The defendants in this case include the U.S. House, House clerk, and sergeant at arms.
Attorney General Mayes characterized Johnson’s actions as actively stripping Arizonans of their congressional representation, likening the situation to “taxation without representation.” Meanwhile, Johnson dismissed the lawsuit as “patently absurd,” asserting that Mayes has no jurisdiction over the issue at hand.
The political landscape is further complicated by the contention from Grijalva and fellow congressional Democrats, who have been pressing for her oath of office through news conferences and protests. Democratic leaders suspect that Johnson’s delay has a strategic purpose, as Grijalva’s seating would provide the crucial 218th vote on a discharge petition linked to matters surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. However, Johnson denied that his actions relate to this controversy, citing precedents set by previous House speakers, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who took 25 days to administer the oath to a different newly elected representative.
Grijalva has condemned Johnson’s behavior as mere “petty partisan politics” that unlawfully breach constitutional processes. The lawsuit seeks a resolution that either compels Johnson to administer the oath or permits her to take it from another individual if Johnson remains obstinate. Should the lawsuit succeed, it could set a precedent regarding the authority of a House speaker to deny an elected member their right to serve during a government shutdown.
Grijalva expressed apprehension about her absence from Congress, indicating that it hampers her ability to provide essential services to her constituents. She noted the significant impact her position in Congress has on addressing the needs of those she represents, emphasizing the urgency of being sworn in as a representative. Meanwhile, House Democrats are preparing for another special election in Texas, which could further impact the GOP majority if the Democratic candidate prevails.
As the situation continues to unfold, the implications of the lawsuit and the political maneuvering around Grijalva’s delayed swearing-in promise to shape the narrative in Congress and potentially influence the balance of power within the House.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- AZ Central: Arizona Sues US House Over Grijalva
- Axios: Arizona AG Sues Speaker Over Grijalva’s Swearing-In
- KTAR: Kris Mayes Lawsuit Overview
- NBC News: Arizona AG Sues to Force Speaker Johnson to Seat Grijalva
- Politico: Arizona Attorney General Lawsuit Against Mike Johnson
- Wikipedia: Adelita Grijalva
- Google Search: Adelita Grijalva lawsuit
- Google Scholar: Grijalva swearing in lawsuit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: United States Congress
- Google News: Grijalva lawsuit
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
