Speaker Mike Johnson clashed with Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly on Wednesday over the ongoing government shutdown and the delayed swearing-in of Arizona Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva.

The senators accused Johnson of stalling Grijalva’s swearing-in to block her from becoming the 218th signature needed to force a House vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related documents.

Johnson denied the claim, saying Grijalva’s election occurred while the House was out of session and that she would be sworn in once Senate Democrats vote to reopen the government.

Gallego accused Johnson of trying to “cover up for pedophiles on the Epstein list,” prompting Johnson to fire back that the allegation was “totally absurd” and a “red herring,” Politico has reported.

The tense exchange underscored the deepening partisan standoff as the shutdown drags on and the House remains adjourned.