Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva Fires Back at Speaker Mike Johnson: “Do Your Job and Seat Me”

It’s been 31 days since Adelita Grijalva won her election to represent Arizona in Congress, but she has yet to be sworn in—a delay that has prompted frustration, legal action, and a public challenge to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). Grijalva, joined by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, has filed a lawsuit demanding that she be seated, arguing that the delay leaves more than 800,000 Arizonans without representation in Congress.

A District in Limbo

Despite her victory, Grijalva remains in a state of uncertainty. With no official budget, authority, or access to federal resources, she and her staff are limited in their ability to serve constituents. “We’re at our headquarters, what used to be our headquarters, now in one room. We don’t have the ability to open up a lease because we don’t have a budget. I don’t have the authority of the federal government to use federal dollars,” Grijalva explained.

Her office is filled with computers and laptops that she cannot unlock, and her staff—some of whom worked for her late father, former Rep. Raúl Grijalva—is unable to provide full constituent services. “I don’t have constituents until I’m sworn in. I have won an election, I have the support of many Arizonans to get to work, but I’m not in office,” she said.

Speaker Johnson’s Position

Speaker Johnson has asserted that Grijalva can still work for her constituents, answering phones and providing services. Grijalva disagrees, pointing out that without being sworn in, she lacks the legal authority to sign contracts, hire staff, or access federal systems. “When Speaker Johnson has the audacity to say that I should be doing my job, it’s like, well, why don’t you do your job, swear me in, and we won’t have to do this back and forth,” she retorted.

The Lawsuit: Taxation Without Representation

Grijalva’s lawsuit, filed with Attorney General Mayes, centers on the principle of “taxation without representation.” She argues that the delay is depriving 812,000 Arizonans of their voice in Congress. “There are very logistical things that only a member of Congress can do right now. Anyone in district that has any questions or concerns reaches out to our amazing senators from Arizona, Gallego and Kelly. But that should not be their responsibility. It’s my responsibility,” Grijalva said.

Staff and Constituent Services on Hold

While Grijalva has staff ready to work and plans for hiring, the limbo status prevents her from onboarding employees or providing official services. “If I’m going to collect information right now, anyone that’s going to work for our office when we open up an office is just a person. What are they supposed to do? Send communications to all of the departments in our federal government from their Gmail accounts? I’m not going to put them in a position where they might be held liable for taking information from constituents because we really are not legally able to do that right now,” she explained.

A Legacy of Service

Grijalva highlighted her father’s reputation for excellent constituent services, noting the closure of his offices after his retirement and the need to establish her own. “Speaker Johnson, I think, has just forgotten what it was like to open up a congressional office. Perhaps he never had to worry about this because he was probably sworn in fully and didn’t have to worry about what he can and can’t do,” she said.

Waiting for Action

Grijalva’s situation is unprecedented in its length; she will soon surpass the longest wait for a member-elect to be sworn in. Previous members have been sworn in within 24 hours by Speaker Johnson. “I don’t know if [my staff is] on a list of people that are going to have back pay. I don’t know what that process is because I’m not sworn in yet,” she said.

Conclusion

Adelita Grijalva’s fight to be seated in Congress highlights the importance of timely representation and the logistical challenges faced by member-elects. Her direct message to Speaker Johnson—“Why don’t you do your job?”—captures the frustration of both Grijalva and her constituents, who remain without a voice in Congress as the delay continues.