Fond Du Lac Times

On Saturday, New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman triggered a fire alarm just as the House was preparing to vote on a continuing resolution aimed at preventing a government shutdown. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy alleges that Bowman intentionally pulled the alarm, while Bowman claims that it was an accident.

House Republicans and Democrats reached an agreement on a short-term funding bill, commonly referred to as a continuing resolution, or CR, to prevent a government shutdown. The Senate subsequently voted to pass the continuing resolution with just three hours remaining before a potential shutdown, ensuring the government remains open for the next 45 days.

McCarthy has called for an investigation into Bowman, who pulled a fire alarm in a Capitol office building, leading to a delay of over 2 hours in the scheduled vote. Republicans have accused Bowman of trying to stall the vote, citing the limited time Democrats had to review the bill. Bowman claims that his action occurred as he rushed to cast his vote and found a usually open door closed, emphasizing that he had no intention of impeding the House vote. However, many Republicans are drawing parallels to the events of January 6 and are calling for consequences for Bowman's actions, according to NPR.

"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 urgently to get to a vote, which I ultimately did and joined my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to keep our government open," said Bowman in a statement, according to a press release. "I also met after the vote with the Sergeant at Arms and the Capitol Police, at their request, and explained what had happened."

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy questioned Bowman's claim, stating, "Well, first of all, we’re going to go through the investigation. What’s really interesting — this is a former principal. He knows what a fire alarm is. But what’s interesting, if it really — really was just an accident, when the Capitol Police came to interview you, why would you lawyer up right away?"

Eric Toney, a Republican activist, criticized Bowman's actions, stating, "A Democrat Congressman pulling a fire alarm on the eve of a possible government shutdown is an attack on our democracy in an effort to stop the House from doing the People’s work to keep our government funded. He must be held accountable."

The investigation into Bowman's actions will determine whether he will face any consequences for triggering the fire alarm.