Rep. Jamaal Bowman pulls fire alarm ahead of House vote
What happened?
Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York activated a fire alarm at a Capitol office building on Saturday ahead of a critical, last-minute House vote that averted a government shutdown, according to his office.
What did the investigators say?
The United States Capitol Police verified in a statement that “a fire alarm was activated on the 2nd floor of the Cannon Office Building” at 12:05 p.m., and the facility was evacuated while investigators investigated. The USCP also stated that it was still examining what occurred.
Bowman’s take
Bowman later put out a statement saying it was unintentional.
“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,” he said Saturday night. “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.”
House Speaker’s statement
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy described the incident as “serious,” telling reporters that he would speak with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries about it and that he would request an investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
“This is an embarrassment,” McCarthy declared. “You have been elected to Congress. You pulled a fire alarm a minute before the government was shut down? Trying to force the government to shut down? What goes through a person’s mind in such a way? But we’ll find the right people to deal with it.”
