Why Did It Take Seven Weeks for Johnson to Seat Grijalva? The Political Chess Game Behind the Delay

Imagine winning a marathon—only to be told you can’t cross the finish line until the judges finish their coffee. That’s roughly how Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) might have felt waiting seven long weeks to be officially seated in Congress after his election. But in politics, nothing is ever as simple as it seems. So, what really happened behind the scenes? And why does this delay matter beyond Capitol Hill?

On November 5, 2024, voters in Arizona’s 7th District sent Grijalva back to Washington for his 12th term. But it wasn’t until December 26—a full seven weeks later—that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) finally administered the oath of office. For context, most newly elected (or reelected) members are sworn in en masse on the first day of the new Congress in early January. So why the holdup? And more importantly, what does this tell us about the current state of U.S. politics?

Spoiler: It’s not just bureaucracy. It’s a mix of procedural quirks, partisan tensions, and a dash of political strategy. Let’s break it down.

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