After Adelita Grijalva is sworn-in, petition seeking DOJ release of Epstein files receives final sponsor to compel a vote

Nov. 12, 2025

House Speaker James M. Johnson (R-La. 4) swore Adelita Grijalva into office on Wednesday—over seven weeks since she won a special election to succeed her late father. Following the ceremony, U.S. Rep. Grijalva (D-Ariz. 7) added her name to a controversial discharge petition that would force a vote on a measure to require the U.S. Department of Justice to release its investigation files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Further Reading :

• House effort to force vote on releasing Epstein files can advance [The Washington Post]
  Nov. 12, 2025 — A discharge petition now has the 218 signatures needed to trigger a vote on releasing more Epstein files. The newly sworn-in Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Arizona) provided the final signature, adding her name to a list of lawmakers that includes all 214 Democrats and four Republicans.
• Johnson to Seat Grijalva, Seven Weeks After She Was Elected [The New York Times]
  Nov. 11, 2025 — Speaker Mike Johnson had refused to swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat of Arizona, claiming he lacked the power to do so.
• A Democratic rep.-elect isn't being sworn in. Is it because she'd force an Epstein vote ? [USA Today]
  Oct. 9, 2015 — Adelita Grijalva won an Arizona special election. She'd be the key to forcing a vote on releasing the Epstein files. But she can't get sworn in.

Key Words :

• Adelita Grijalva
• James M. Johnson
• Jeffrey Epstein