Speaker delays swearing-in of Adelita Grijalva
Speaker Mike Johnson has so far refused to swear in newly elected Arizona lawmaker Adelita Grijalva, saying she will be sworn "as soon as we get back to work," which prompted a tense on‑camera confrontation Oct. 8 with Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly who accused him of delaying the oath to avoid a vote on an Epstein discharge petition — a claim Johnson called "totally absurd." House Democrats attempt to swear in Grijalva during a pro forma session was quickly halted when Rep. Russ Fulcher gaveled the session closed amid shouts, as shutdown tensions and internal pressure over spending and policy bills escalated on Capitol Hill.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Oct. 8, Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly confronted Speaker Mike Johnson outside his office about delaying Adelita Grijalva’s swearing‑in; Johnson said she would be sworn in "as soon as we get back to work" and urged Democrats to "reopen the government."
- Gallego alleged the delay was intended to avoid a vote on an Epstein discharge petition; Johnson called that claim "totally absurd" and said the Oversight Committee is already working on Epstein files.
- Rep. Mike Lawler intervened in the confrontation, telling the senators they had voted to keep the government shut and engaging in a heated exchange with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries that included mutual insults.
- Sen. Mark Kelly emphasized Democrats were fighting to extend enhanced ACA subsidies during the exchanges on the hallway.
- House Democrats attempted to swear in Grijalva during a pro forma session, but Rep. Russ Fulcher quickly gaveled out amid shouts and Rep. Greg Stanton called the action "undemocratic."
- Internal GOP pressure on Johnson grew: Rep. Jen Kiggans urged him to pass her standalone military‑pay bill, while Reps. Kevin Kiley and Thomas Massie pushed to return to votes on appropriations bills.
- A bipartisan one‑year ACA premium tax‑credit extension (from Kiggans and Rep. Tom Suozzi) exposed a Democratic split, with Jeffries dismissing the proposal as "laughable."
- The clashes occurred the same day Senate Democrats blocked the GOP funding bill for a sixth time, intensifying shutdown tensions on Capitol Hill.
- During the confrontations, Lawler asked Jeffries whether he would endorse NYC mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani; Jeffries declined to answer.
📚 Contextual Background
- The United States federal government entered a partial shutdown on 2025-10-01 after the midnight funding deadline passed with Democrats and Republicans failing to agree on a funding bill.
- A continuing resolution (CR) is a temporary funding measure used by the U.S. Congress to keep federal agencies operating while House and Senate negotiators complete annual appropriations for a fiscal year.
📰 Sources (3)
Shutdown tensions cause clashes to erupt on Capitol Hill: "You're an embarrassment"
New information:
- Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly confronted Speaker Mike Johnson outside his office about delaying Adelita Grijalva’s swearing‑in; Johnson called the Epstein‑files claim “totally absurd.”
- Rep. Mike Lawler intervened, telling the senators to go vote to reopen the government, then confronted Leader Hakeem Jeffries and pressed him to back a one‑year ACA credit extension; exchange included quotes: Jeffries — “You’re an embarrassment,” Lawler — “The only embarrassment here is you.”
- House Democrats attempted to swear in Grijalva during a pro forma session; Rep. Russ Fulcher quickly gaveled out amid shouts, with Rep. Greg Stanton yelling, “This is undemocratic.”
- Internal GOP pressure grew: Rep. Jen Kiggans urged Johnson to pass her standalone military‑pay bill; Reps. Kevin Kiley and Thomas Massie called for returning to vote on appropriations bills.
- Internal Democratic split surfaced over a bipartisan one‑year ACA credit extension bill from Kiggans and Rep. Tom Suozzi; Jeffries called the proposal “laughable.”
- Lawler pressed Jeffries on whether he would endorse NYC mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani; Jeffries declined to answer.
Tense confrontation between House speaker, Senate Dems caught on camera over shutdown
New information:
- On-camera confrontation: Speaker Mike Johnson confronted Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly outside his office on Oct. 8.
- Johnson stated Grijalva will be sworn in 'as soon as we get back to work' and urged Democrats to 'reopen the government.'
- Gallego alleged Johnson was delaying to avoid a vote on an Epstein discharge petition; Johnson called that 'totally absurd' and said Oversight is already working on Epstein files.
- Rep. Mike Lawler joined and told the senators they voted to keep the government shut down; Sen. Kelly emphasized Democrats are fighting to extend enhanced ACA subsidies.
- Context note: The exchange occurred the same day Senate Democrats blocked the GOP funding bill for a sixth time.