Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Republican party’s handling of the ongoing government shutdown, which has lasted 28 days. Gallego stated the situation was further complicated by President Trump’s absence in Asia and Johnson’s alleged inaction. Gallego accused Johnson of protecting pedophiles by withholding relevant files and failing to address pressing issues like healthcare costs, which Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also criticized. Greene has also stated that Republicans have no plan to resolve the situation and address Americans’ concerns.
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Representative Johnson has admitted to being fatigued due to working overtime, even though the House has been out of session since September 19th. Despite the government shutdown and the House not being in session, House committees are reportedly still working on legislation. Johnson has also delayed swearing in Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva, potentially due to Grijalva’s ability to be a deciding vote on the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
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Speaker Mike Johnson stated that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) contingency funds are not legally available to cover benefits during the government shutdown, citing a legal analysis from the Trump administration. The USDA, holding over $5 billion in the fund, also claims it will not use these funds if the shutdown extends beyond October 31, arguing that the funds are intended for unforeseen events, not politically motivated ones. Johnson places blame on Democrats, asserting that SNAP could be funded if they support the GOP proposal to reopen the government. This stance contradicts a previous USDA plan that indicated the department was legally obligated to pay SNAP benefits during a shutdown.
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Following the death of Representative Raúl Grijalva, his daughter Adelita Grijalva won a special election in September to take his seat, but she has yet to be sworn in. House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to swear her in until the government reopens, leaving Arizona’s 7th Congressional District without representation. This delay has resulted in a closed local congressional office and unanswered phone calls, hindering constituents from accessing crucial services. This situation has prompted a lawsuit and growing frustration among residents who are now without a voice in the halls of power, especially amidst key immigration issues.
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Multiple sources indicate that Donald Trump has been privately boasting about his ability to control House Speaker Mike Johnson. This perception stems from Johnson’s actions, including aligning with Trump’s agenda on various legislative initiatives and refusing to swear in a Democratic Congresswoman-elect. Critics argue Johnson’s behavior, particularly during the ongoing government shutdown, reinforces the notion of his subservience to Trump. Johnson’s resistance to calls for House meetings and his attacks on Trump’s opponents further fuel the perception that he is acting in line with the former president’s directives.
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Adelita Grijalva, a newly elected congresswoman, is being blocked from being sworn in by House Speaker Mike Johnson, potentially hindering Democrats’ ability to force a petition for the release of the Epstein files. Grijalva believes Johnson’s actions are linked to the files, which could contain information about Prince Andrew and former President Trump’s past associations with Jeffrey Epstein. Johnson cites the government shutdown as the reason for the delay, but critics point out other Republicans were sworn in during similar circumstances. Grijalva expresses concern about potential obstruction and redaction of the files, should they be released.
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Arizona’s attorney general has initiated legal action against House Speaker Mike Johnson for his refusal to swear in newly elected Representative Adelita Grijalva, arguing the Speaker lacks the authority to delay her appointment. The lawsuit contends that Johnson is violating the Constitution by preventing Grijalva from fulfilling her duties, potentially due to political motivations such as preventing a vote on releasing Epstein records or strengthening his position in budget negotiations. While Johnson claims he is following precedent and will administer the oath at the next legislative session, the lawsuit, filed in federal court, seeks a judicial order compelling the swearing-in by either Johnson or another authorized individual, emphasizing the injury to both Grijalva and Arizona voters. The core of the legal argument revolves around the constitutional requirement for elected members to be sworn in if they meet the qualifications, regardless of the Speaker’s personal preferences or the House’s operational schedule.
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Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed a lawsuit against House Speaker Mike Johnson for delaying the swearing-in of newly-elected Democrat Adelita Grijalva. Mayes contends that Johnson lacks the authority to prevent Grijalva from taking her seat, as the Constitution does not grant the Speaker such power. Grijalva’s delayed swearing-in is seen by some as a tactic to prevent her from signing a discharge petition to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. While Grijalva accuses Johnson of obstruction, he insists the delay is unrelated to the Epstein matter.
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Despite Adelita Grijalva’s election victory in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, with nearly 70% of the vote and official certification by the Arizona Secretary of State, she has not been sworn in to the House of Representatives. Speaker Mike Johnson is delaying Grijalva’s swearing-in, using various excuses, and is suspected of doing so because Grijalva is a Democrat whose presence could impact critical votes, like the one involving the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. This obstruction denies representation to 813,000 Arizona residents, and a lawsuit has been filed to address this voter disenfranchisement, emphasizing that the speaker’s actions violate the Constitution and the principles of democratic representation.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing accusations of delaying the swearing-in of Democratic Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, who could provide the decisive vote on a bill to release the Epstein files. Johnson denies any connection to the Epstein files, but Democrats allege that he is intentionally stalling her swearing-in. The speaker has cited precedents set by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but faced scrutiny on his actions with regards to his own precedent. Despite the ongoing government shutdown, Johnson could hold a pro forma session to swear her in, which he has not done.
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John Q. Hosedrinker