GOP Rep Introduces Resolution To Censure Jamaal Bowman For Pulling Fire Alarm

Republican Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan’s 9th District has introduced a resolution to censure Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York’s 16th District after he was indicted on charges of pulling a fire alarm at the Capitol complex.

Bowman pulled a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building on Sept. 30, a day when the House was considering a continuing resolution to keep the government funded, with his actions being captured on a security camera. On Wednesday, following Bowman’s indictment by the District of Columbia Attorney General on a misdemeanor count for his actions, McClain introduced a resolution formally censuring Bowman and stripping him of his committee assignments, according to a copy of the resolution shared with the Daily Caller News Foundation.

“The House of Representatives censures Jamaal Bowman, Representative of the 16th Congressional District of New York, for violating District of Columbia Criminal Code Section 22-1319 by knowingly causing a false alarm of fire in an attempt to obstruct official proceedings of the House,” the resolution’s text reads. “Bowman will forthwith present himself in the well of the House of Representatives for the pronouncement of censure,” it also reads, with the pronouncement to be done by the speaker of the House.

Text of Resolution Censuring Jamaal Bowman by Daily Caller News Foundation on Scribd

Bowman has since faced bipartisan criticism for his actions, which also resulted in a private meeting between him and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as well as an ethics complaint against him. The misdemeanor count against Bowman makes him the second representative from New York during the 118th Congress to face criminal charges, after Republican Rep. George Santos of New York’s 3rd District.

House Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in the chamber, have previously censured one Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff of California’s 30th District, for his actions in previous Congresses related to investigations of then-President Donald Trump. Schiff’s censure was strongly opposed by House Democrats.

“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 in a statement after the incident. “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.”

Bowman’s office did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.