Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York is facing an ethics complaint after pulling a fire alarm in a congressional office building last month.
The complaint was filed Thursday with the Office of Congressional Ethics by the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust.
The organization accuses Bowman of ethics violations related to his activation of a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building.
The alarm forced the evacuation of the building shortly before a key House vote on funding the federal government to avert a shutdown.
Bowman admitted to pulling the fire alarm but claimed he believed it would open a locked door rather than sound an alarm.
“I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door,” he said in a statement. “I regret this and sincerely apologize for any confusion this caused.”
Bowman denied that he pulled the fire alarm in an attempt to delay the vote.
Statement from Congressman Jamaal Bowman. pic.twitter.com/v6qjdHNI7T
— Congressman Jamaal Bowman (@RepBowman) October 1, 2023
The U.S. Capitol Police announced in an Oct. 2 news release that the incident is under investigation.
Critics of Bowman have not bought his explanation.
Should Bowman be disciplined for pulling the fire alarm?
Yes: 99% (138 Votes)
No: 1% (1 Votes)
“He simply cannot credibly claim he doesn’t know the difference between a fire alarm and an automatic door button, and it’s clear he did not pull the alarm for a legitimate reason,” FACT executive director Kendra Arnold wrote in the ethics complaint.
“There is no question that he intentionally set off the fire alarm, regardless of whether his motive for doing so was to delay a vote or to use a door that was not permitted.”
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia posted a video showing the alarm in question clearly labeled “fire,” with no indication of intended use for opening the door.
Let me show you how easy it is to exit the Cannon building if doors are closed for the weekend.
No need to pull a fire alarm, you simply have to walk down some steps.
Jamaal Bowman knew what he was doing. He was trying to interrupt the vote.
Bowman needs to be arrested and… pic.twitter.com/PQuI6kk0sX
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) October 2, 2023
Photos of the door showed signs reading, “Push until alarm sounds (3 seconds). Door will unlock in 30 seconds.”
There were MULTIPLE signs saying “emergency exit only” next to the fire alarm that Jamaal Bowman pulled.
Speaking to reporters, Bowman said, “I thought the alarm would open the door.” pic.twitter.com/fY38wD2xEl
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) September 30, 2023
Greene accused Bowman of trying to interrupt the vote and called for his arrest and prosecution.
Obstruction of congressional proceedings entails a prison sentence of up to five years, according to the Congressional Research Service.
The ethics complaint against Bowman also accuses him of improperly using his official congressional social media accounts for campaign purposes, according to the Post.
FACT hit Bowman with the same complaint in April, The Center Square reported.
