Congressional Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) is facing calls for expulsion and even felony charges for allegedly pulling a fire alarm in a House office building on Saturday. Bowman’s actions, which led to an evacuation of the building amid a budget debate to prevent a government shutdown, are being defended and excused by his fellow Democrats even as Republicans call for harsh penalties.
The weekend’s emergency Congressional sessions were focused on hammering out a government budget ahead of the end of the fiscal year at midnight on October 1. The primary point of contention was the inclusion of additional relief funds for Ukraine, which Republicans largely opposed. As Valuetainment previously reported, the House and Senate were ultimately able to pass a crucial stopgap spending measure mere hours before the deadline, narrowly averting a government shutdown. A short-term spending bill, delaying the debate over the full package by 45 days, passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 335 to 91. The bill was then approved by the Senate shortly after 8 p.m. with a vote of 88 to 9.
However, the earlier House vote was significantly delayed when a fire alarm sounded in the House Cannon Office Building immediately after Democrats introduced a motion to adjourn. Security camera footage captured near an emergency exit shows a man identified as freshman New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman pulling the clearly marked fire alarm.
Here is Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York pulling the fire alarm so Democrats wouldn’t have to vote.
Democrats will do *anything* to shut down the government. pic.twitter.com/lk3yA0p5Hx
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 30, 2023
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A spokesperson for Bowman claimed that Bowman had merely been attempting to open the door in his hurry to make it to the urgent vote on time. An additional statement from Bowman on Saturday night took responsibility for the situation. “Today, as I was rushing to make a vote, I came to a door that is usually open for votes but today would not open,” Bowman said. “I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door. I regret this and sincerely apologize for any confusion this caused.”
“But I want to be very clear, this was not me, in any way, trying to delay any vote,” he continued. “It was the exact opposite – I was trying urgently to get to a vote, which I ultimately did and joined my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to keep our government open.”
Bowman also confirmed that he had explained the situation to Capitol Police and the Sergeant at Arms, expressing a hope that “no one will make more of this than it was.”
Statement from Congressman Jamaal Bowman. pic.twitter.com/v6qjdHNI7T
— Congressman Jamaal Bowman (@RepBowman) October 1, 2023
However, many have called Bowman’s reasoning into question given the clear “Emergency Exit Only” signs set up in front of the door, as well as the standard markings on the fire alarm itself. Given the congressman’s background as a school principal, it was assumed that he would be familiar with fire safety procedures and the function of the alarm systems.
In response to the alleged attempt to delay the vote, House Republicans are calling for Bowman to be expelled from office, and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) introduced an expulsion resolution on Monday. Furthermore, the congressman could also face potential misdemeanor and felony charges that carry a combined penalty of more than 30 years in prison. Washington DC law states that false emergency reports can carry a six-month sentence and a $1,000 fine. Additionally, federal law deems obstruction of congressional proceedings to be a felony punishable by five years. Obstruction of justice, a class A felony under DC law, carries an additional penalty of up to 30 years. While no charges have been filed, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy plans to “have a discussion with the Democratic Leader,” stating that the incident “should not go without punishment.”
Others have taken the response a step further, calling for Jamaal Bowman to be met with the same treatment as those charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot. Many of the 1,000+ January 6 defendants are accused of obstructing congressional proceedings, including by pulling fire alarms. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) called Bowman an “insurrectionist” and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) said he should be treated like a “Jan. 6 defendant.”
Likewise, former President Donald Trump insisted that Bowman’s “egregious act” may have been worse than those of the rioters, further calling for him to “SUFFER THE SAME FATE” in a Truth Social post.
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