Adelita Grijalva officially became the first Latina to serve Arizona in Congress when she was sworn in Wednesday, putting an end to a 50-day delay.
Grijalva won a special election in Arizona's Congressional District 7, which includes part of Yuma, Somerton and San Luis, on Sept. 23.
Since then, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson had delayed her swearing in, saying he could not do so during the federal government shutdown. Grijalva said it was because she will be the deciding signature on a discharge petition to release the Epstein files.
The House voted Wednesday to end the shutdown. The files are related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Grijalva's swearing in means the district will finally have representation in Congress since the passing of her father the late Congressman Raúl Grijalva, who served the district for more than 20 years until this past March.
Congresswoman Grijalva addressed the House floor, saying “I rise today, the proud granddaughter of a bracero – a hard-working Mexican immigrant who came to this country with hope for a better life. And I stand as the proud daughter of a U.S. Congressman – a man who spent his entire life fighting for justice, equity and dignity for the most vulnerable. From working as a vaquero, to serving in Congress in just a single generation – that is the promise of this country.”
Grijalva also gave remarks in Spanish “Este momento es histórico para nuestra comunidad. Es un honor ser la primera latina en representar Arizona en el Congreso y les aseguro que aunque soy la primera, no seré la última.” ("This is a historic moment for our community. It is an honor to be the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress and I assure you that although I am the first, I will not be the last.”
Rep. Grijalva had some words for Speaker Johnson, who U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego has said was not swearing her in to protect pedophiles. Grijalva said "this is an abuse of power. One individual should not be able to unilaterally obstruct the swearing-in of a duly elected Member of Congress for political reasons.”
Grijalva's address to the House floor following her swearing in:
I rise today, the proud granddaughter of a bracero – a hard-working Mexican immigrant who came to this country with hope for a better life.
And I stand as the proud daughter of a U.S. Congressman – a man who spent his entire life fighting for justice, equity, and dignity for the most vulnerable.
From working as a vaquero, to serving in Congress in just a single generation – that is the promise of this country.
That is the America I want to raise my three beautiful children in – Adelina, Raúl, and Joaquín. They along with my amazing husband Sol and my wonderful Mama Ramona are here today with me. Muchas gracias por su apoyo.
And thank you to la gente of Southern Arizona. For making history, electing me as the first Latina – the first Chicana – from Arizona ever to go to Congress.
Este momento es histórico para nuestra comunidad. Es un honor ser la primera latina en representar Arizona en el Congreso, y les aseguro que aunque soy la primera, no seré la última.
And while we celebrate this moment, today our American promise is under serious threat.
Basic freedoms are under attack. Healthcare premiums are skyrocketing. Babies are being ripped away from their parents by masked agents. We can and must do better.
What is most concerning is not what this administration has done, but what the majority in this body has failed to do: hold Trump accountable as the co-equal branch of government that we are.
It has been fifty days since the people of Arizona’s Seventh Congressional District elected me to represent them.
Fifty days that over 800,000 Arizonans have been left without access to the basic services that every constituent deserves.
This is an abuse of power.
One individual should not be able to unilaterally obstruct the swearing-in of a duly elected Member of Congress for political reasons.
Our democracy only works when everyone has a voice.
This includes the millions of people across the country who have experienced violence and exploitation – including Liz Stein and Jessica Michaels, both survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. They are here in the gallery with us this evening.
Just this morning, House Democrats released more emails showing that Trump knew more about Epstein’s abuses than he’s previously acknowledged. It’s past time for Congress to restore its role as a check and balance on this administration and fight for we – the American people.
We need to fight for our immigrant communities and veterans.
We need to stand up for our public schools, children, and educators.
We need to respect tribal sovereignty and our environment.
We need to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights.
Because that’s what the American people expect us to do - fight for them.
That is why I will sign the discharge petition right now to release the Epstein files, because justice cannot wait another day.
Adelante mi gente. Muchas Gracias!
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Stay tuned to KAWC for more on the vote to end the federal government shutdown and Congresswoman Grijalva.
