Jamaal Bowman sets off a fire alarm
Representative Jamaal Bowman said he made a mistake by turning on the fire alarm on Capitol Hill during tense negations to pass a short-gap funding bill to keep the federal government operating for another fifty days.
“Today, as I was rushing to make a vote, I came to the door that usually opens for voters but usually for votes, but the door would not open,” said Bowman, who represents New York’s 16 Congressional District. “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.”
The fire alarm sounded as House Democrats hoped to delay a vote on the 71-page stopgap spending measure proposed by Republicans so they could have more time to read the bill.
The Bill was sent to President Joe Baden, who signed it.
Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy said the House Ethics Committee should look into the matter.
Bowman met with Capital Police and the Sergeant at Arms to explain what had happened.