Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

SunSeeker

(56,924 posts)

17. What Johnson is doing is unconstitutional.

Reply to pat_k (Reply #15)

Wed Oct 8, 2025, 05:33 AM

Wednesday

As Grijalva’s fellow Arizona Democrat, Rep. Greg Stanton, told Johnson in a Sept. 30 letter, Johnson’s blocking of Grijalva’s swearing-in is “depriving more than 800,000 Arizonans of their rightful voice in Congress,” which Stanton said is “a direct violation of both the Constitution’s guarantee of representation and the House’s duty to respect the will of the voters.”

Also, in Powell v. McCormack (1969), the Supreme Court ruled that the House cannot refuse to seat a member-elect who meets constitutional requirements and whose election is certified. The official certified results from Grijalva's election will be available October 14. https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/rep-elect-adelita-grijalva-not-yet-sworn-in-amid-government-shutdown

If Johnson does not certify her after October 14, she should sue Johnson to compel her swearing in.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

questionseverything doubleplusgood republianmushroom

29 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Since Johnson is unavailable to swear Adelita Grijalva into Congress... [View all] highnooner Oct 7 OP

Great Idea! Chasstev365 Oct 7 #1

Or ask a progressive Justice, and she will say yes. Nt spooky3 Oct 7 #2

Exactly! ananda Oct 7 #6

I kinda like the idea of asking all six rightwing nutbags, so they're on the record FoxNewsSucks Oct 7 #8

Mikey is busy. Defending depravity. usonian Oct 7 #3

Pedophiliac Four. BattleRow Oct 7 #4

This would make a great window sticker for our vehicles. KS Toronado Oct 7 #11

Call your rep. Make the ask. I did. cbabe Oct 7 #5

Yes - get a Justice Champp Oct 7 #7

This is a fabulous idea why didn't one of the brighter Democratic lawyers come up with that idea. usaf-vet Oct 7 #9

Because it likely would be of no legal effect. onenote Wednesday #20

I believe any Federal judge can do it obamanut2012 Oct 7 #10

Good to know, but considering the potential retaliation, Qutzupalotl Oct 7 #12

All federal judges have life tenure, not just SCOTUS. Ocelot II Thursday #27

Yes. But it's a matter of House procedures. If the speaker won't do it, a resolution would probably be needed.... pat_k Oct 7 #16

Nice Christian Man destroying democracy for the team intuito Oct 7 #13

Sonia Sotomayor would be a wise choice Clouds Passing Oct 7 #14

Apparently, it wouldn't be valid absent a House vote to allow it. pat_k Oct 7 #15

What Johnson is doing is unconstitutional. SunSeeker Wednesday #17

Absolutely! pat_k Wednesday #23

2 USC 25 specifies that the Speaker is the one who swears in members. onenote Wednesday #18

On the other hand-- DFW Wednesday #21

This message was self-deleted by its author onenote Wednesday #19

Any judge can swear her in. No one should be ignoring that little fact Autumn Wednesday #22

It's not custom. It's House rules. A resolution to seat her and allow someone ... pat_k Wednesday #24

Republicans frequesntly break 'house rules" What are they gonna do if a judge Autumn Thursday #25

Unfortunately, the Republican majority could simply bar her from the chamber. pat_k Thursday #29

Because even if a judge swears her in SocialDemocrat61 Thursday #26

Don't love the precedent for 2026. She should be pressing HARD for this asap Arazi Thursday #28