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Johnson criticized for quickly swearing in Republican while making Democrat wait 50 days
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is coming under fire after a report revealed he expects to swear in this week the newest Republican elected to Congress, Matt Van Epps, for whom Johnson campaigned. Van Epps won a narrow victory Tuesday night in a deep red Tennessee district. The move comes after Johnson most recently delayed seating Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona for 50 days.
Johnson offered an array of explanations for why he would not swear in Congresswoman Grijalva, who won her September election for a seat vacant since March but was not seated until November.
Among his reasons were that the House was not in session, there was a federal government shutdown, and her election had to be officially certified. Critics noted that other members-elect had been sworn in under similar circumstances.
In October, The Guardian reported that Grijalva “thinks she knows the reason why Johnson is in no rush to administer the oath: in addition to co-sponsoring bills on the environment, public education and other issues she campaigned on addressing, Grijalva plans to provide the final signature on a petition that would force a vote on legislation to release files related to accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein – which the speaker and Donald Trump oppose.”
Now, critics are blasting Johnson, after Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman reported on the Speaker’s expected timeline.
“I was led to believe that waiting almost two months was customary and totally normal,” snarked Robbie Sherwood, communications director of the Arizona House Democratic Caucus.
“Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, the last member had to wait 50 days,” observed political commentator Molly Jong-Fast.
“Oh so he can just swear anyone in immediately if he feels like it,” noted Hemant Mehta, who writes the Friendly Atheist on Substack.
“Guess the speed of democracy depends on who you voted for and what they look like,” charged Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is coming under fire after a report revealed he expects to swear in this week the newest Republican elected to Congress, Matt Van Epps, for whom Johnson campaigned. Van Epps won a narrow victory Tuesday night in a deep red Tennessee district. The move comes after Johnson most recently delayed seating Democratic U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona for 50 days.
Johnson offered an array of explanations for why he would not swear in Congresswoman Grijalva, who won her September election for a seat vacant since March but was not seated until November.
Among his reasons were that the House was not in session, there was a federal government shutdown, and her election had to be officially certified. Critics noted that other members-elect had been sworn in under similar circumstances.
In October, The Guardian reported that Grijalva “thinks she knows the reason why Johnson is in no rush to administer the oath: in addition to co-sponsoring bills on the environment, public education and other issues she campaigned on addressing, Grijalva plans to provide the final signature on a petition that would force a vote on legislation to release files related to accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein – which the speaker and Donald Trump oppose.”
Now, critics are blasting Johnson, after Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman reported on the Speaker’s expected timeline.
“I was led to believe that waiting almost two months was customary and totally normal,” snarked Robbie Sherwood, communications director of the Arizona House Democratic Caucus.
“Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, the last member had to wait 50 days,” observed political commentator Molly Jong-Fast.
“Oh so he can just swear anyone in immediately if he feels like it,” noted Hemant Mehta, who writes the Friendly Atheist on Substack.
“Guess the speed of democracy depends on who you voted for and what they look like,” charged Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko.
Arkansas attorney general says pardoned nursing home operator should serve state sentence
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas' attorney general is seeking to have a former nursing home operator who was pardoned by President Donald Trump serve time in state prison for Medicaid fraud and tax evasion.
Tim Griffin asked a Pulaski County judge in a court motion Tuesday to order Joseph Schwartz to report to prison to serve 31 days before he is eligible for parole under his state conviction. Griffin asked the judge to give Schwartz seven days to report.
Schwartz pleaded guilty in federal court last year for his role in a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme involving nursing homes he owned across the country. Trump pardoned him last month.
As part of a plea agreement with the state, Schwartz was sentenced to one year to run concurrently with his federal prison time. Griffin, a Republican, said in court filings that Schwartz still has a debt to the state.
“In addition to his prison time, he still owes more than $1 million to the state in restitution and fees,” Jeff LeMaster, a spokesperson for Griffin's office, said in a statement. “We will ensure he fulfills all of his obligations to the state.”
Griffin also said Schwartz should be considered a flight risk.
Kevin Marino, an attorney for Schwartz, said the state should not succeed in its request.
“We do not believe that motion is well-made, and we’re confident Mr. Schwartz will prevail,” Marino said.
Under Arkansas law, Schwartz is required to serve a third of his sentence before he becomes eligible for parole. He previously served 90 days in state custody.
Federal prosecutors said Schwartz, who operated New Jersey-based Skyline Management Group, willfully failed to pay employment taxes relating to numerous health care and rehabilitation facilities that Skyline ran in 11 states.
Between October 2017 and May 2018, Schwartz caused taxes to be withheld from employees’ pay but then failed to pay over more than $38 million in employment taxes to the IRS, according to the Justice Department.
Andrew Demillo, The Associated Press
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas' attorney general is seeking to have a former nursing home operator who was pardoned by President Donald Trump serve time in state prison for Medicaid fraud and tax evasion.
Tim Griffin asked a Pulaski County judge in a court motion Tuesday to order Joseph Schwartz to report to prison to serve 31 days before he is eligible for parole under his state conviction. Griffin asked the judge to give Schwartz seven days to report.
Schwartz pleaded guilty in federal court last year for his role in a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme involving nursing homes he owned across the country. Trump pardoned him last month.
As part of a plea agreement with the state, Schwartz was sentenced to one year to run concurrently with his federal prison time. Griffin, a Republican, said in court filings that Schwartz still has a debt to the state.
“In addition to his prison time, he still owes more than $1 million to the state in restitution and fees,” Jeff LeMaster, a spokesperson for Griffin's office, said in a statement. “We will ensure he fulfills all of his obligations to the state.”
Griffin also said Schwartz should be considered a flight risk.
Kevin Marino, an attorney for Schwartz, said the state should not succeed in its request.
“We do not believe that motion is well-made, and we’re confident Mr. Schwartz will prevail,” Marino said.
Under Arkansas law, Schwartz is required to serve a third of his sentence before he becomes eligible for parole. He previously served 90 days in state custody.
Federal prosecutors said Schwartz, who operated New Jersey-based Skyline Management Group, willfully failed to pay employment taxes relating to numerous health care and rehabilitation facilities that Skyline ran in 11 states.
Between October 2017 and May 2018, Schwartz caused taxes to be withheld from employees’ pay but then failed to pay over more than $38 million in employment taxes to the IRS, according to the Justice Department.
Andrew Demillo, The Associated Press
