The closure of the United States government that began on Wednesday has interrupted services throughout the country and has left tens of thousands of officials without salary. But it has also served as a pretext, according to the Democrats, to keep in the limbo to their most recent companion, Adelita Grijalva, an elected representative by Arizona, because when confirmed in his position, a political scandal is expected to exploit a political scandal that threatens to stagger the Government of Donald Trump. Grijalva has promised to become the crucial firm number 218 of a petition that would force a vote in Congress to publish federal archives related to Jeffrey Epstein, the millionaire convicted for sexual crimes that died in prison in 2019. Documents are speculated, they can contain compromising data for President Trump.
Grijalva was elected with an advantage of almost 40 points in the special elections held on September 23 in Arizona, after his father, Raúl, died last March and left his seat vacant in the House of Representatives. More than a week later, the first Latin woman to be chosen to represent Arizona in Congress has not been able to swear her position. His party companions argue that Republicans have used the closure of the administration as a maneuver to delay their arrival to the Capitol and, therefore, the release of the archives of the Epstein pedophile.
Before the question of whether the Republicans are trying to block their signature, it only advances that it seems “suspicious.” “The only difference between me and other sworn members recently is that I am the signatory number 218” of the petition, he says in a telephone interview with El País. The president of the Chamber, Republican Mike Johnson, pledged on Thursday to confirm it “earlier next week.” Once confirmed, Grijalva would reduce the narrow margins of the Republicans in the Chamber, where they have 219 of the seats, compared to the 213 that the Democrats tell (there are two other vacancies).
Grijalva, 54, is native to the city of Tucson, very close to the border with Sonora, Mexico. Next to his father, he was always involved in local politics. After his death, the veteran congressman left behind a long career of struggles for social justice. Therefore, when his father’s health began to deteriorate, his daughter did not hesitate to take a step forward to follow her legacy.
Ask. Do you interpret the fact that the leadership of the Chamber has not yet sworn it as a political maneuver?
Answer. I don’t think they are afraid of me. Perhaps the president of the Chamber only wants more time, or get one of the four Republicans to withdraw his signature (to avoid the publication of Epstein’s archives). But the true harmed are the inhabitants of Arizona. I cannot hire staff, open an office or configure my computer. I can’t even enter the Capitol without security authorization. It is frustrating. My colleagues treat me as if I was already inside, but it is not.
P. Some legislators have argued that the closure of the government has served as an excuse to delay their swear. How does this affect your ability to represent your voters in Arizona?
R. Until I swore, I can’t do anything at the federal level. I am totally in a limbo.
P. What are your immediate priorities once you are sitting in the Capitol?
R. First, I will sign the final request for the publication of Epstein’s archives and other similar requests. I will coperocinar laws, I will hire personal, I will open offices and do surveys in the district. What I was chosen to do. I am not able to start yet.
P. You inherited the seat that your father occupied for 22 years. How do you plan to leave your own mark without being seen only in the shadow of your last name?
R. I am proud to be her daughter. People can see me like this, and that’s fine. The challenges are different now, but I want to offer excellent service and representation for southern Arizona.
P. What do you think are the greatest challenges for Democrats in this administration and, especially, in the face of medium mandate elections?
R. We are in the minority. Republicans control the camera, the Senate, the White House and justice. Our role is to be the people’s party, fighting for health and other public services. Half mandate elections are important to gain balance in the camera. I am hopeful, because my victory shows that voters support progressive candidates when they trust them, with values such as Medicare for all, Environmental Protection, Public Education, Immigrant Rights and Comprehensive Migration Reform. I am also the first Latin and Chicana de Arizona in Congress. It is important to highlight the issues that affect Latinos and motivate others to get involved in the community.
P. As a representative of a district near the border, how do you value the migratory policies of the Trump government?
R. It is a racist, dangerous and exclusive policy. Families are separated and people stop without committed crimes. We need comprehensive and human immigration reform, with a path to legalization. Immigrants contribute to the economy, contrary to what some believe. So, to protect the immigrant community, the first thing I will do is inform people about their rights, I will publicly talk about injustices and give visibility to cases such as business owners who have been unfairly arrested. Representation matters and we must ensure fair treatment for all.
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