The people of Arizona's seventh congressional district a vast territory extending across the state's south, along the Mexican border have been denied representation in Congress for weeks. That's because Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, has refused to swear in Adelita Grijalva, their representative-elect, who won a special election to fill the seat vacated by her father, the late Raul Grijalva, in a landslide late last month.
Democrats have railed against Johnson for refusing to swear Grijalva in until the shutdown ends and the House returns to session, accusing him of wanting to block a vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files. "You just don't want her to be on the Epstein discharge petition," Gallego told Johnson, who responded that the claim is "totally absurd" and said, "You guys are experts at red herrings and distractions."
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the early recess of the House to avoid a vote demanding the release of more documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, accusing Democrats of political games.
I'm as anxious to see how that plays out as you are. I will tell you that the sentiment here, certainly my opinion is that we should reduce interest rates. The American economy is hot, and we have so many good things going on.
Mike Johnson noted that the notion of banning stock trading by Congress members has been a topic for some time, highlighting the lack of consensus that has historically stalled its progress.
