Johnson: Not swearing in Democrat has ‘nothing to do’ with Epstein files

from The Hill

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said his delay in swearing in Democratic Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (Ariz.) is not related to her looming signature on a petition to force a House vote compelling release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, saying she will be sworn in when the House is back in session.

“It has nothing to do with that at all. We will swear her in when everybody gets back,” Johnson said in a Tuesday press conference.

Asked when her swearing-in will happen, Johnson said: “We’ll schedule it, I guess, whenever she wants. It has nothing to do with it.”

Grijalva won a special election on Sept. 23 for the Arizona seat that was long held by her father, former Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.). But despite decisively winning the seat, she has not yet been sworn in.

The move delays a months-long effort to circumvent House leadership on a bill compelling the Department of Justice to release the so-called Epstein files — with Grijalva being the 218th and final signature needed on the procedural gambit called a discharge petition to force action on the measure. GOP leaders argue the bill is not needed since the House Oversight and Government Reform committee is investigating the Epstein matter... 

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