WASHINGTON, D.C.– Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08) released the following statement after he attempted to be recognized on the House floor to seek unanimous consent that Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva be permitted to take her oath of office today: 
 
“Enough is enough. The people of Arizona’s 7th Congressional District have made their voices heard by electing Adelita Grijalva to Congress by an overwhelming margin four weeks ago. The state of Arizona has certified her election. While my Republican colleagues are still enjoying their runaway vacation, I went to the House floor today to demand that Speaker Mike Johnson do his job and administer the oath of office to our new colleague from Arizona. Despite the fact that Speaker Johnson swore in two Members from Florida the very next day after their special elections earlier this year, he still refuses to allow Ms. Grijalva to assume her constitutional duties 28 days later. 
 
“What gives Mike Johnson the right to stop a duly elected Representative from serving her 800,000 constituents? Our Constitution does not grant the Speaker of the House the right to block the results of a free and fair election, but it grants the people the right to have congressional representation. Speaker Johnson is betraying the Constitution to help cover up the Epstein File. House Republicans shut down the government to prevent Adelita Grijalva from being sworn in, which prevents her from providing the final signature in the discharge petition needed to force a vote on releasing the Epstein File. 
 
“The GOP shutdown not only threatens health care coverage for millions and hurts federal workers who want to get back on the job. It is allowing Trump and his cronies in Congress to continue hiding the truth about Jeffrey Epstein’s $1.5 billion sex trafficking ring. Speaker Johnson, it’s time to do your job, open the government, release the Epstein File and swear in Adelita Grijalva!”

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