Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva announced Sunday that she will travel to Washington, D.C., following confirmation from Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and multiple media reports that Speaker Mike Johnson finally intends to swear her into office. But even as she prepares to assume her long-delayed congressional seat, the Arizona Democrat is making clear she is not satisfied with what will greet her on the House floor.

“While I am eager to get to work, I am disappointed that one of my first votes will be on a bill that does nothing to protect working people from skyrocketing premiums, loss of health coverage, or do anything significant to rein in Trump’s abuse of power,” Grijalva said in a written statement.

Her remarks, sharp in tone and unmistakably political, mark the beginning of a new phase for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District — and for a lawmaker who has already demonstrated a willingness to challenge congressional leadership, even before taking the oath of office.

Weeks of Delay

Grijalva’s path to Washington has been anything but smooth. She easily won a special election in late September to fill the seat left vacant by her father, the late Representative Raúl Grijalva, a progressive stalwart who served in Congress for more than two decades. But despite the clear result, the new congresswoman-elect was not immediately sworn in — a delay that lasted more than a month and drew growing criticism from Democrats and Arizona officials.

During the interim, Grijalva remained unable to vote, hire congressional staff, or open a district office — leaving her constituents temporarily unrepresented in the House. According to reports from Politico and Scripps News, the delay stemmed partly from scheduling disputes and internal Republican disagreements over the House calendar.

“I was elected by the people of southern Arizona to represent their voices, and every day of delay meant those voices were silenced,” she told local station KGUN 9 last week. “This should not have taken this long.”

With Speaker Johnson now signaling that her swearing-in will finally take place this week, Grijalva said she is “ready to hit the ground running” — but also warned she will not stay silent about what she sees as misplaced priorities.

Early Critique of GOP Agenda

Grijalva’s statement referred specifically to an upcoming House vote on a Republican-backed health care and spending bill, expected to surface soon after her oath. The measure, aimed at extending temporary funding while cutting parts of the Affordable Care Act, has been criticized by Democrats for offering no new protections against rising insurance premiums or medical costs.

Grijalva echoed those criticisms, calling the bill “a political gesture, not a plan,” and arguing that “working families deserve more than headlines.” She added that her priority would be “to strengthen, not weaken, the Affordable Care Act; to lower drug costs, not raise out-of-pocket expenses.”

Her comments also invoked “Trump’s abuse of power” — a reference to the former president’s renewed influence over the Republican Party and ongoing efforts by House conservatives to align legislation with his political agenda. Grijalva said she intends to join Democrats who are pushing for stronger oversight measures and legal protections against what she described as “executive overreach and corruption.”

A Progressive Legacy and a New Voice

For observers of Arizona politics, Grijalva’s fiery tone comes as little surprise. The 48-year-old Tucson native has long been active in public service and progressive advocacy. Before her congressional bid, she served as President of the Tucson Unified School District Board and later as a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, where she focused on education funding, housing affordability, and environmental protection.

Her election made history: Adelita Grijalva is the first Latina elected to represent Arizona in Congress, a milestone celebrated by activists across the state. Supporters view her as a continuation of her father’s legacy — but also as an independent leader with her own priorities and style.

“She’s not going to be a silent freshman,” said political analyst Maria Gutierrez of the University of Arizona. “Adelita’s message is clear: she plans to bring the same passion for working-class issues that her father was known for, but with a sharper focus on accountability and social equity.”

Political Stakes Ahead

Grijalva’s early statements put her in step with the House Progressive Caucus, which has clashed repeatedly with Speaker Johnson over fiscal policy, abortion rights, and border enforcement. But as a new lawmaker, she also faces the challenge of building relationships across the aisle — and even within her own party.

Democratic leaders have welcomed her addition to the caucus, with Leader Jeffries calling her “a powerful advocate for Arizona’s families and a principled voice for justice.” Yet her decision to publicly rebuke the House’s first post-swearing-in vote underscores the balancing act she will have to manage: staying true to her convictions while learning the practical realities of legislating in a divided Congress.

Her immediate focus, aides say, will include health-care affordability, immigration reform, and veterans’ services — issues that resonate deeply in her Tucson-to-Yuma district.

“She understands the struggles of working families because she’s lived them,” said campaign spokesperson Elena Ramirez. “That perspective is what makes her voice so necessary in Washington right now.”

A Symbolic Beginning

As Grijalva prepares to take the oath of office, her first official vote will likely be cast within hours of being sworn in. The symbolism is not lost on her: the culmination of weeks of delay, followed immediately by a test of her resolve.

“This moment isn’t just about me,” she said. “It’s about the people who’ve been waiting for their representative to finally have a seat in the room — and I intend to use that seat to fight for them, every single day.”

Her statement encapsulates both frustration and determination — a tone that may well define her tenure in Washington. After weeks of waiting, Adelita Grijalva is about to take her place on the House floor, ready to raise her hand, take the oath, and, in her own words, “get to work — for the people who put their trust in me.”