Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, both Arizona Democrats, confronted Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday after holding an unannounced press event outside his office to protest his delay in swearing in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva and to push their health care demands that have sparked the government shutdown.
“The guy who works in this office right here is keeping all of his Republican colleagues and his caucus on an extended summer vacation. He will not come back to negotiate with us. We are ready,” Kelly told reporters outside Johnson’s office.
Gallego accused Johnson of delaying Grijalva’s swearing-in to block a discharge petition forcing a vote to release Jeffrey Epstein case files, claiming Johnson wants to “cover up for pedophiles on the Epstein list.” Johnson, who canceled House votes this week to pressure Senate Democrats on a GOP funding bill, said he won’t swear in Grijalva until regular voting resumes.
“There’s a way for all of us to actually get things done, protect the government workers, extend these affordable health care tax credits — but not when Johnson’s keeping his people out of session, and certainly not while he’s keeping a duly elected member of Congress from Arizona that should have been sworn in by all standards by now,” Gallego said.
A few minutes into the Arizona Democrats’ remarks on the shutdown, Speaker Johnson unexpectedly emerged from his office and joined the press gaggle, first addressing their demand to swear in Grijalva.
“We’re going to do that as soon as we get back to work, but we need the lights turned back on, so we encourage both of you to go open the government,” Johnson told Kelly and Gallego.
Johnson said the swearing-in of two Florida members last spring was different, as it had been pre-scheduled and their families were present, and then added, “Grijalva has not yet had a scheduled date because she was elected after the House was out of session. So, I am anxious to administer the oath to her.”
Gallego accused Johnson of blocking Grijalva’s swearing-in to stop her from signing the Epstein discharge petition. Johnson denied the claim, saying it “has nothing to do” with Epstein and noting that the House Oversight Committee is already investigating the case and obtaining materials from Epstein’s estate.
“This is an excuse so she doesn’t sign on to that,” Gallego said.
“This is absurd,” Johnson responded, adding: “This is a publicity stunt.”
Johnson said the senators were frustrated because they’re “getting heat for the shutdown.” When asked why he hasn’t recalled Republicans to negotiate, he replied, “We’ll have plenty of negotiations once the government reopens.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) then joined to push back on the senators, prompting the lawmakers to begin full-on arguing and talking over each other, with Gallego accusing them: “Stop covering up for the pedophiles.”
“Nobody’s covering up for pedophiles, so knock it the hell off,” Lawler replied.
See video clips of the exchange below:
Impromptu clash between Speaker Johnson and Dem Sens. Gallego & Kelly over why he has not sworn in the new Dem-elect from AZ
Johnson: “Reopen the government”
Gallego: “Your excuse just keeps moving” pic.twitter.com/9bLYhtty8C
— Annie Grayer (@AnnieGrayerCNN) October 8, 2025
Ran into Speaker Johnson and told him exactly how I feel about Republicans shutting down the government to protect pedophiles and jack up health care costs for 24 million Americans. pic.twitter.com/ReofOxFWRz
— Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) October 8, 2025
Heated exchange involving Speaker Johnson, Rep. Lawler & AZ Sen. Gallego & Kelly regarding Epstein, Grijalva & government shutdown.
Gallego: “Get your people in & stop covering up for the pedophiles.”
Lawler: “Nobody’s covering up for pedophiles. So knock it the hell off.” pic.twitter.com/3ToX6lR8Xr
— Ryan Schmelz (@RyanSchmelzFOX) October 8, 2025
