FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT: Jessica Ortiz, Jessicao@mifamiliavota.org

WASHINGTON, DC – Mi Familia Vota welcomes the swearing-in of Rep. Adelita Grijalva today, but denounced the 7 week delay that left her constituents in the dark during the government shutdown:

Monica Sandschafer, Arizona State Director for Mi Familia Vota, issued the following statement:

“It’s about time. We applaud today’s swearing-in of Rep. Adelita Grijalva after the Republican majority blocked her for 50 days since voters went to the polls and elected her as their representative. Our democracy depends on government being of, for and by the people, and House Speaker Mike Johnson’s 7 week delay tarnishes that ideal. It is clear that the delay was entirely political because the Speaker previously allowed the swearing in of two members of his own party while the House was out of session who were elected in special elections earlier this year. The excuse that they had family in town is a disservice to the American people, and the damage caused was real, as her constituents went for weeks without constituent services from her office, because of Speaker Johnson’s political games. Rep. Grijalva’s district is a majority-minority district, with a majority of voting age constituents being Latino, reflecting the intention to silence and suppress our votes and our voices. Mi Familia Vota looks forward to ensuring that the voices of voters continue to be heard, and to inform voters so that we can continue to hold elected officials accountable.”

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About Mi Familia Vota - Mi Familia Vota’s mission is to mobilize Latino power, through year-round activation of the electorate, and investment in local infrastructure, to advance our community’s policy priorities. Mi Familia Vota is fighting for a future where Latino voices shape and advance policies that promote the health, safety, and prosperity of Latino communities across the country.