U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman says he “mistakenly” pulled a fire alarm in a Capitol building because he was late for a House vote on a spending bill on Saturday morning.
However, House Republicans say Bowman intentionally pulled the fire alarm to delay voting on the spending bill.
Security footage shows Bowman pulling the fire alarm shortly before the House was scheduled to vote on the government funding bill.
He faces 20 years in prison — if he is charged with endangering lawmakers.
The Congressman, who represents New York’s 16th District, changed his story several times. The story he’s sticking with is he thought the red fire alarm box was a door handle.
“Today, as I was rushing to make a vote, I came to a door that is usually open for votes but today was not open. I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door,” said Bowman who wears prescription glasses.
“I regret this and sincerely apologize for any confusion this caused,” said the former school principal.
When House Republicans accused Bowman of intentionally delaying the vote, he dug in his heels.
“I want to be very clear, this was not me, in any way, trying to delay any vote. It was the exact opposite – I was trying to urgently get a vote, which I ultimately did and joined my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to keep our government open,” he said.
Bowman said he and his lawyer met with the sergeant at arms and the Capitol police at their request.
“I was really appalled watching Democrats’ childish actions today, to delay it, to get a shutdown,” said House speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican.
McCarthy is calling for Bowman’s expulsion from Congress.
“His behavior has been unbecoming,” McCarthy said. “If it really was an accident, when the Capitol Police came to interview you, why would you lawyer up right away?”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says the entire building was evacuated after Bowman pulled the fire alarm.
She pointed out that he didn’t have to open the exit door to go vote because the vote was being held inside the same building.
