Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., looks on, as she is ceremonially sworn in by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Nov. 12, 2025. Photo by Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Rep. Grijalva signs petition on Epstein files, giving it the 218th signature needed to force House vote

Politics

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., signed a petition Wednesday to force a House vote on releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein, giving it the needed 218 signatures.

Grijalva was sworn in as the newest member of Congress on Wednesday, more than seven weeks after she won a special election in Arizona to fill the House seat last held by her late father.

WATCH: Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva is sworn in, 7 weeks after election, teeing up Epstein vote

Grijalva was sworn in by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Wednesday shortly before the House returned to session to vote on a deal to fund the federal government. The lower chamber had been away since mid-September.

Grijalva's seating brings the partisan margin in the House to a narrow 220-214 Republican majority. She vowed to continue her father's legacy of advocating for progressive policies on issues like environmentalism, labor rights and tribal sovereignty.

She had previously called the prospect of finally being sworn in "emotional" in an interview with The Associated Press.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Support PBS News Hour

Your tax-deductible donation ensures our vital reporting continues to thrive.

Rep. Grijalva signs petition on Epstein files, giving it the 218th signature needed to force House vote first appeared on the PBS News website.

Additional Support Provided By: