Tensions boiled over in the halls of Congress this week as frustration surrounding the ongoing government shutdown erupted into a heated exchange between House Speaker Mike Johnson and two Democratic senators.
On Wednesday afternoon, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego assembled reporters outside the Speaker’s office, pressing Johnson to officially swear in Arizona congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won her special election two weeks ago.
But Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, was not about to let the moment pass without confrontation. After a brief handshake with both senators, he made his position clear, saying Grijalva would not be sworn in until the shutdown was over. “We need the lights turned back on, so we encourage both of you to go open the government,” Johnson told them.
The tense exchange quickly drew attention as Gallego accused Johnson of deliberately delaying Grijalva’s swearing-in to block her from joining a critical vote effort. According to Roll Call, Grijalva has publicly committed to being the deciding signature on a discharge petition that would force a House vote on releasing the long-withheld Jeffrey Epstein files.
“Get your people in and stop covering up for the pedophiles,” Gallego shot back at Johnson, escalating the confrontation.
The exchange highlights growing impatience inside the Capitol as the shutdown drags on and lawmakers clash over transparency and accountability issues, including the release of Epstein’s records.
