[Politics] Rep. Bowman under investigation for pulling fire alarm as McCarthy compares it to Jan. 6

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Rep. Bowman under investigation for pulling fire alarm as McCarthy compares it to Jan. 6

The fire alarm, which Bowman's office suggested was unintentional, came as Democrats were trying to delay a vote after Republicans rushed to pass the stopgap measure.

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called for Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., to be punished after he pulled a fire alarm in a Capitol office building on Saturday, comparing it to the Jan 6 rioters who attacked the building.

"When you think about how other people were treated when they come in and wanted to change the course of what was happening in the building," McCarthy said.

 

McCarthy went on to say that the Ethics Committee should take the pulled fire alarm "seriously."

"This should not go without punishment," McCarthy said. “I’m gonna have a discussion with the Democratic leader about it. But this should not go without punishment. This is an embarrassment.”

Bowman’s office acknowledged he pulled the alarm, but suggested it was unintentional.

“Congressman Bowman did not realize he would trigger a building alarm as he was rushing to make an urgent vote,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “The Congressman regrets any confusion.”

A screen grab of security footage was distributed to officers so they could locate the person who pulled the alarm, a person familiar with the matter.

Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said he has not yet seen the video of the fire alarm being pulled.

 

“Until I see the video, I have no further comment," he said when asked.

The U.S. Capitol Police are investigating, according to a statement that did not mention Bowman by name, and the House Administration Committee is conducting a probe as well.

       https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/jamaal-bowman-pulled-fire-alarm-rcna118230