The State of Arizona has done something extraordinary, and not in a good way. It has sued the United States House of Representatives.

The reason? Because the House, under Speaker Mike Johnson, still hasn’t sworn in Adelita Grijalva, the Democrat who won September’s special election to fill the late Raúl Grijalva’s seat. Her election is certified, her paperwork is complete, and now she’s just twiddling her thumbs.

You’d think this would be a quick formality. But this is Washington, D.C., where common sense is rarer than bipartisan cooperation.

Representation Delayed is Representation Denied

The Constitution is clear: representatives are chosen by the people. Period.
Once those results are certified and a member-elect meets the constitutional requirements, they are entitled to be seated, or at least sworn in at the first opportunity.

The voters of Arizona’s 7th District did their part. They showed up, voted, and sent Grijalva to Washington. But because of procedural wrangling, their seat sits empty. The Speaker says the House isn’t in “regular session” due to the ongoing government shutdown.

But if we’re honest, that explanation sounds like the political equivalent of “the dog ate my homework.” The House has held pro forma sessions during shutdowns before. Members have been sworn in under similar circumstances. There’s no serious constitutional reason to withhold the oath.

And that means — whether by design or delay — nearly 800,000 Americans are being denied their voice in Congress. That’s not just unfair; it’s un-American.

Principle Before Party

Some conservatives might shrug and say, “Well, she’s a Democrat. What’s the big deal?”

Here’s the big deal: if a Speaker can block her from being sworn in today, another speaker can block our person tomorrow. Fairness isn’t a one-way street. Conservatives claim to stand for the Constitution, the rule of law, and limited government, but those principles don’t mean much if we only defend them when they benefit our side.

I think it was Noam Chomsky who once said, “If you’re only in favor of free speech for the people you agree with, you’re not really for free speech.” The same goes for elections. If you only support them when your side wins, you’re not really for democracy; you’re for control.

The voters spoke. Washington should listen.

The Politics Behind the Curtain

Now, let’s talk about the real reason this story is making national headlines. Critics claim that the delay in swearing in Grijalva isn’t about procedure at all; it’s about power. Specifically, her signature could become the deciding factor in a discharge petition related to releasing the Epstein investigation files.

In plain English, her vote could bring to the floor a motion that leadership doesn’t want to deal with right now. And that, my friends, is the dirty little secret of Capitol Hill: everything is about leverage.

If that’s true — if the Speaker’s office is dragging its feet because seating Grijalva might upset the balance — then this goes beyond partisanship. It’s an abuse of process for political gain.

Republicans may think they’re being clever by running out the clock. But this kind of maneuver doesn’t make the GOP look strong; it makes them look scared. And worse, it undermines the very institution they’re supposed to defend.

Remember the Founders’ warning

The Founding Fathers feared exactly this kind of power play. That’s why the Constitution outlines the qualifications for office and leaves little room for Congress to second-guess the voters. Article I, Section 5 gives the House the right to judge the “elections, returns, and qualifications” of its members, but that doesn’t mean leadership can withhold the oath on a whim.

Congress shouldn’t be able to pick and choose when the people’s vote counts. When we start bending constitutional principles to achieve political goals, we’re no better than the bureaucrats and judges we often complain about.

The Cost of Political Games

Here’s the sad part: while Washington argues, the people of Arizona’s 7th District have no one representing them on the House floor. No votes. No committee voice. No advocate for their local issues.

It’s easy for politicians to forget that behind every “district” are real people — families, workers, taxpayers — who just want their government to function.

And from a moral standpoint, it’s troubling. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). That applies just as much to the halls of Congress as it does to the pews of a church. When our leaders twist procedure to block the will of the people, they’re not keeping order; they’re creating chaos.

What Conservatives Should Learn from This

Conservatism isn’t about defending power for its own sake. It’s about defending the principles that protect everyone’s liberty.

If Republicans want to prove they’re the adults in the room, they should lead by example: follow the law, uphold the Constitution, and respect the voters’ will, even when it hurts politically. That’s what separates statesmen from politicians.

History shows that integrity outlasts advantage. The same rules we abuse today will be used against us tomorrow.

Besides, if the GOP truly believes in its agenda, it shouldn’t be afraid of one vote. A movement confident in its ideas doesn’t need to silence opposition. Instead, it persuades and wins on merit.

The Moral Bottom Line

At the end of the day, this isn’t really about Adelita Grijalva or Mike Johnson. It’s about trust.

Every time Washington plays procedural games to deny people their representation, Americans lose a little more faith in their government. And when faith in the system crumbles, the whole house starts to wobble: red bricks, blue bricks, and all.

The Lord warns us in Proverbs 20:10, “Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.” In other words, God doesn’t bless double standards.

Right now, it sure looks like Congress is using one set of rules for itself and another for the voters.

Final Thought

So, here’s a bit of advice for Speaker Johnson and anyone else tempted to keep playing this game: swear her in. Then move on. Do your job.

Because whether it’s a Democrat in Arizona or a Republican in Texas, the principle is the same: the people’s voice must never be silenced for political convenience.

America doesn’t need more clever lawyers and procedural excuses. We need leaders who honor their oath to uphold the Constitution and serve the people.

Until that happens, Washington will keep proving that the biggest swamp problem isn’t the water. It’s the snakes.