9:33Rep. Adelita Grijalva delivers remarks at the Capitol following her swearing-in, Nov. 12, 2025. Pool via ABC News
Democrat Adelita Grijalva of Arizona was formally inaugurated into the House on Wednesday — seven weeks following her victory in a special election, and just prior to the House commencing deliberations on Senate-approved measures to restore government operations.
House Speaker Mike Johnson oversaw the administration of the oath, which garnered substantial applause from Democratic members.
Grijalva addressed the House chamber and immediately thereafter endorsed the discharge petition aimed at compelling a floor vote concerning the release of comprehensive documents by the Department of Justice pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva speaks at the Capitol after being sworn in, Nov. 12, 2025.Pool via ABC News
“Justice cannot be deferred any longer,” she asserted.
Grijalva highlighted recently unveiled emails by House Democrats earlier on Wednesday, in which Epstein mentioned President Donald Trump.
“Our system of democracy is effective only when everyone’s voice is heard,” Grijalva stated.
“This encompasses the millions across the nation who have suffered violence and exploitation, including Liz Stein and Jessica Michaels, both survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, who are with us in the gallery tonight,” she noted. “Thank you for your presence.”
Rep. Adelita Grijalva is ceremonially sworn in by House Speaker Mike Johnson at the Capitol, Nov. 12, 2025.Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Grijalva implored lawmakers on Capitol Hill to escalate efforts to challenge Trump.
“It’s high time for Congress to reclaim its function as a check on this administration and advocate for the American populace,” she expressed. “We must advocate for our immigrant communities and veterans. We must champion our public schools, children, and educators. We must honor tribal sovereignty and our environment, and we must champion LGBTQ+ rights, because that is what the American people expect of us: to advocate for them. That is why I will promptly sign the discharge petition to release the Epstein files.”
Grijalva’s electoral victory occurred four days after Johnson adjourned lawmakers following the House’s approval of the straightforward continuing resolution to finance the government in mid-September.
While this matter has persisted throughout the shutdown, Johnson dismissed the delay in Grijalva’s induction, asserting that his action was unrelated to Grijalva’s intention to provide a definitive signature on a discharge petition.
The state of Arizona initiated legal action against the House of Representatives concerning the speaker’s choice to not induct Grijalva during the government shutdown, and lawmakers from both parties have voiced their disagreement with Johnson’s determination.
When might a vote regarding the Epstein files discharge petition take place?
Following Grijalva’s signature on the discharge petition, a procedural move to circumvent House leadership in mandating floor votes on legislation, it attained the requisite 218-vote threshold to compel a vote within the lower chamber.
The petition, spearheaded by Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, now necessitates "ripening" — meaning it will gain floor consideration after a period of seven legislative days, according to House Rules. Subsequently, any member who signed the petition retains the right to call up the measure and signal their intent to offer a discharge motion on the floor.
Following that, Speaker Johnson has a window of two legislative days to schedule a vote.
Therefore, the earliest the House will conduct a vote concerning the discharge petition is projected for early December, following the chamber’s Thanksgiving recess.
The House would be obligated to undertake multiple procedural votes, accompanied by several hours of floor debate, before the bill secures a final vote.
The speaker retains the option to postpone a conclusive vote on the measure or refer it to a committee — thereby impeding the bill’s passage in the House. As of now, Johnson’s course of action remains undefined.
Should the measure successfully pass the House, the Senate would likewise be required to address the bill, though there are no assurances that this would transpire under the stewardship of Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva speaks during Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’ “Arizona First” rally at El Rio Center on November 1, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona.Rebecca Noble/Getty Images
Speaker Johnson conveyed his opposition to the discharge petition initiative, emphasizing the ongoing efforts by the House Oversight Committee regarding Epstein.
The committee has disseminated thousands of records linked to Epstein, as furnished by the Department of Justice. Among the documents disclosed by the committee are public court filings and transcripts from the trial of his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, previously disclosed flight logs from Epstein’s aircraft, pre-existing Bureau of Prisons communications from the night of Epstein’s demise, and diverse other publicly available court documents from Epstein’s criminal case in Florida. Maxwell has consistently refuted all allegations of misconduct.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 as he awaited trial for charges involving the trafficking of underage girls and women.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
