Mike Johnson Ghosts Arizona Rep, GOP Blames Invisible Sessions
Rep-elect Adelita Grijalva, who snapped up Arizonaâs 7th District on Sept. 23 and got the official nod on Oct. 14, remains locked out of Congress because House Speaker Mike Johnson insists she can't be sworn in until the government shutdown endsâand the House holds a 'real' session. Pro forma sessions? Those procedural lip-syncs going on during the shutdown? Doesnât count, apparently. Meanwhile, Arizonaâs AG is suiting up to wrestle Johnson in court just to get a timeline. Grijalvaâs left flying on personal miles, without an office, a budget, or constituency helpâbasically stuck with a car missing its engine, tires, and gas. Johnsonâs defense? Heâs 'just following precedent'... from a pandemic-era delay when Pelosi made someone else wait 25 days. Oh, and he sarcastically suggests Grijalva trade TikTok vids for constituent workâas if she had a chance to do either.
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Mike Johnson says heâll swear in Arizonaâs Adelita Grijalva after the shutdownâmeanwhile sheâs self-funding office rent and constituent help is a glitch on her congressional WiFi. Pro tip: Itâs not a car without wheels, itâs Congress without her vote.
Holding a rep hostage for political points? Sounds like Congress is taking 'government shutdown' way too literallyâeven her own district is lobbying for mercy like itâs Black Friday.
Grijalva canât even lease an office and has to burn frequent flyer miles to workâmeanwhile Johnsonâs using the 'pro forma session' magic trick to make her disappear mid-legislative show.
Source: Axios | Published: 10/21/2025 | Author: Andrew Solender
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