A resolution has been introduced by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) to expel Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) for pulling a fire alarm before Saturday’s House vote to fund the government. Malliotakis accuses Bowman of violating federal and local laws, and claims that he must face consequences for his actions. Bowman pulled the fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building, leading to a temporary evacuation of the building. Some GOP lawmakers have accused Bowman of intentionally trying to prevent the high-stakes vote, while Bowman insists that it was an accident as he was rushing to vote. The incident is being investigated by the U.S. Capitol Police.
The resolution introduced by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis aims to expel Rep. Jamaal Bowman for pulling a fire alarm before the House vote to fund the government. Malliotakis has gained support from twelve co-sponsors and intends to gather more throughout the day. According to Malliotakis, Bowman’s actions were both juvenile and unlawful, and he must be held accountable. The fire alarm pulled by Bowman caused a temporary evacuation of the Cannon House Office Building, disrupting the crucial vote. Republican lawmakers have accused Bowman of purposely attempting to halt the vote, but he maintains that it was an accident caused by rushing to vote on the last-minute measure proposed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman maintains that he pulled the fire alarm by mistake while in a hurry to get through the door for the vote. He claims that it was a bad decision and takes full responsibility for it. However, Bowman admits that he thought pulling the fire alarm would allow him to exit the building faster, citing instances where it has worked for him before. Despite the Republican motion to oust him from the House, Bowman insists that he did not intend to prevent the vote or shut down the government. The incident is currently under investigation by the U.S. Capitol Police, who state that the fire alarm was pulled at approximately 12:05 p.m. on Saturday.
