Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva visits senior center in Somerton
Skylar Heisey
Anchor Skylar Heisey was in Somerton Monday, where Grijalva met with seniors to talk about the how the government shutdown, and the delay of being sworn in, is affecting families across the Desert Southwest.
SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) says the government shutdown, and her delay in being sworn in are leaving her district without critical resources.
Without being officially sworn in, Grijalva says she can’t open an office, hire staff, or access her federal budget, leaving her unable to serve the very people who elected her.
“It’s totally affecting everybody in the district. I don’t have a budget. I can’t enter into a lease. Some people say, ‘Well, you could just go into your dad’s office.’ I can’t. It’s a brand new lease, and until I’m sworn in, I can’t authorize federal dollars. So it’s affecting everyone,” Grijalva shared.
Grijalva says the situation could worsen as SNAP benefits are cut, hitting programs that feed seniors.
“Starting November 1, SNAP benefits are going to be cut, and the programs here funded by SNAP, like the meal programs, it affects senior centers, it affects Head Starts, and every age in between. It’ll have a devastating impact that our local communities are not gonna be able to withstand very long,” Grijalva expressed.
She says the delay has been frustrating, leaving her unable to do her job while Congress remains gridlocked.
“It is so frustrating because I don’t have any official role. Congress isn’t voting, and where we should be at the negotiating table helping fix it for the American people…I can’t. I don’t have any ability to do my job until I get sworn in,” Grijalva remarked.
Grijalva says her goal is to stay focused on the people she serves, and says she plans to keep fighting for her seat in Congress, just like her late father would have.
Following her visit to the senior center, Grijalva joined local leaders at Gateway Park Monday afternoon to talk about the future of the Colorado River.
To learn more about that, click here.