Jamaal Bowman to face censure after House Republican forces vote over fire alarm incident

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) is the latest House member to face a censure vote over accusations the New York Democrat intentionally disrupted congressional proceedings by pulling a fire alarm in a congressional office building earlier this year.

Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) filed a privileged censure resolution on the floor on Tuesday, forcing a vote on the measure within the next two legislative days. The move builds on previous efforts by McClain to punish Bowman for the misconduct, which has so far failed to make it to the House floor for a full vote.

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“The actions of Representative Bowman forced the evacuation of the Cannon House Office Building and disrupted the work of the Congress as a vote was underway on the floor of the House,” the resolution states. “The interruption of official proceedings of Congress by pulling a fire alarm was a theatrical attempt to cause panic, therefore endangering the safety and well-being of Members of the House, of staff, and members of the public on the Capitol grounds.”

Nathan Howard/AP

The resolution was initially filed in early October, just days after Bowman was caught on surveillance camera pulling a fire alarm while the House was scheduled to meet for votes on a measure to avoid a government shutdown. Bowman initially denied that the incident was intentional, but the New York Democrat later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to the false alarm.

That plea deal allowed Bowman to avoid sentencing if he agreed to pay a $1,000 fine, write an apology letter to the U.S. Capitol Police, and agree to three months of probation. However, Republicans have repeatedly called for Bowman to be charged in the incident, with former New York Republican Rep. George Santos using his last act in Congress to draft an expulsion resolution against the New York Democrat last week.

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Bowman’s conduct was previously referred to the nonpartisan Ethics Committee, which decided last month not to open an investigation into the matter.

It’s not yet clear when House leadership will bring the resolution to the floor for a vote, but the measure must be voted on before lawmakers adjourn for the weekend on Thursday evening. A spokesperson for Bowman has not responded to a request for comment by the Washington Examiner.