US congressman Jamaal Bowman fined for setting off fire alarm ahead of speaker vote
Jamaal Bowman
A Democratic congressman admitted a misdemeanour charge of deliberately setting off a fire alarm at the US Capitol complex that forced the evacuation of an office building ahead of a crucial vote.
Jamaal Bowman appeared in DC Superior Court on Wednesday, where he agreed to pay a $1,000 fine and write an apology to police in return for the charges being withdrawn in three months, according to court documents and a statement from the New York lawmaker.
Bowman, 47, said he was rushing from his office to make the September 30 vote on a funding bill aimed at averting a government shutdown and pulled the alarm in an attempt to open a door he couldn't get through.
That caused Cannon House office block near the main Capitol building to be evacuated for an hour.
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Republicans say the former school principal, who was captured on camera, was seeking to stall the vote and introduced a censure motion Wednesday to remove him from his committee assignments.
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"Rep. Bowman's excuse does not pass the sniff test," House administration committee chairman Bryan Steil said in a statement.
"After pulling the fire alarm, Rep. Bowman fled the scene, passed by multiple Capitol Police officers and had every opportunity to alert USCP of his mistake."
Bowman, a combative progressive who is unafraid to have public rows with his opponents in the halls of Congress, has become a favourite sparring partner for Republicans.
He said in a statement he was grateful that police "agreed I did not obstruct nor intend to obstruct any House vote or proceedings."
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"I am responsible for activating a fire alarm, I will be paying the fine issued, and look forward to these charges being ultimately dropped," he said.
The House approved the 45-day stopgap funding bill -- with a yes vote from Bowman -- shortly after the drama came to an end.
Hakeem Jeffries, the leader of the House Democrats, stood by the congressman and slammed Republicans with "their hair on fire" over his conduct, while not showing outrage over the January 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol by supporters of former president Donald Trump.
"Many of them who are having a panic attack publicly about Jamaal Bowman have actually defended or refused to comment on the violent mob on January 6," he told reporters.
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