Welcoming the Honorable Adelita S. Grijalva to the House of Representatives

Floor Speech

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Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Gosar, the new dean of Arizona's State delegation. It has been a minute since we have all been together on the House floor. I am looking for cobwebs around here.

As dean, Congressman Gosar replaces the late Congressman Raul Grijalva, one of the most impactful leaders in Arizona history.

Now, with great pride, I rise today to do something we have waited 50 long days to do--exactly 49 days too long--and that is to introduce our colleague from Arizona, Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva.

Since September 23, the people of Arizona have been waiting for this day, and the excuses for the delay have changed seemingly daily. First they said they need an election certificate, though one isn't required. Then they wanted to make sure there was enough pomp and circumstance. Then we were informed about a nonexistent Pelosi precedent.

At one point, the Speaker went on television and said, ``Bless her heart. She's a Representative-elect. She doesn't know how things work around here.''

Bless his heart, because here is how it should work. Let's call it the Adelita Grijalva precedent: When the American people vote, this Chamber respects their will and seats them immediately. Politics should never come into play.

Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Grijalva is a native Tucsonan, the granddaughter of a bracero who came here from Mexico. She is the youngest woman ever elected to the Tucson Unified School Board, serving 20 years, then a Pima County supervisor, fighting for working families, affordable housing, and early childhood education. She brings that same fight to Congress.

The people of Arizona's Seventh District placed their trust in her, and today that trust is rewarded.

Her first act of Congress will be a powerful one. She will be the 218th and final signature on the discharge petition to force the Trump administration to release the Epstein files, delivering long overdue justice and accountability for hundreds of victims abused by rich and powerful men.

She is a smart, principled fighter through and through.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to welcome and introduce to this Chamber Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva.

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