Unintentional Alarm Fiasco: New York Rep Jamaal Bowman's Inadvertent Fire Alarm Chaos Shakes House Office Building

Rep. Jamaal Bowman accidentally pulled a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building on Saturday morning, just before the House was slated to vote on a government funding bill. House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, a Republican from Wisconsin, disclosed the incident and confirmed an ongoing investigation.

According to Steil, Bowman's explanation for pulling the fire alarm appears to be insufficient. Steil emphasized the need for Bowman to provide more clarity on the incident. In an interview with CNN's Jim Acosta, Steil stated that it is crucial for Bowman to be more transparent about why he pulled the alarm. Additionally, Steil cautioned that if Bowman's intention was to disrupt the House voting procedure, which Bowman vehemently denied, it would be considered a significant legal violation.

Bowman's office claimed that it was an inadvertent occurrence, and the representative later informed journalists on Saturday, stating, "My intention was to access a door. I mistakenly believed that activating the alarm would grant me entry, and I accidentally pulled the fire alarm in order to open the door."

He further explained, "I simply wanted to reach the voting area, but the typically accessible door was unexpectedly closed instead of being open," as expressed by Bowman.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a Democrat from New York, arrives to the US Capitol on June 22, 2023.

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc./Getty Images/FILE

Leadership in both parties was informed of the situation once Bowman was identified in security footage, a source familiar said.

Content must be written in English.

After the funding stopgap measure passed the House on Saturday, Bowman mentioned that he had a meeting with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to discuss the incident. Bowman described Jeffries' tone during the meeting as "supportive" and acknowledged that Jeffries understood that it was a mistake. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested that the House Ethics Committee should investigate the incident.

McCarthy expressed his belief that ethics should consider the matter at hand, despite acknowledging its gravity. This statement came in response to a journalist's query after the House vote. Additionally, McCarthy mentioned his intention to have a conversation with Jeffries concerning the incident.

McCarthy expressed his disapproval, stating, "There should be consequences for this behavior. It is truly embarrassing. As a member of Congress, you have a responsibility to uphold. To pull a fire alarm, just hours before the government shutdown, in an attempt to force the shutdown, is unacceptable."

In response, Rep. Lisa McClain, a Republican from Michigan and a part of the GOP leadership team, informed CNN that she is currently circulating a resolution to censure Bowman in light of this incident. She mentioned that she already has co-sponsors for the resolution.

Bowman, on the other hand, dismissed the GOP's reaction to the incident on Saturday, stating to reporters, "That's just their way. It's expected."

This story has been revised with supplementary details.