House Votes to Censure Rep. Bowman for Pulling Fire Alarm
Republican-Led Motion Advances to Condemn New York Democrat
Washington, D.C. -
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a resolution to censure Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York for allegedly triggering a fire alarm in a House office building. The vote was largely along party lines, with Republicans supporting the measure and Democrats opposing it.
The censure, which is a formal reprimand, was introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. Rogers accused Bowman of "willfully and intentionally creating a false alarm" by pulling a fire alarm lever in the Rayburn House Office Building on June 23.
During debate on the House floor, Bowman defended his actions, saying that he pulled the alarm after smelling smoke on the sixth floor of the building. He also said that he had not been made aware of any other reports of smoke or fire in the building at the time.
However, Republican lawmakers said that Bowman's explanation was not credible and that he had shown a disregard for the safety of other members of Congress and staff.
The censure resolution passed by a vote of 219-208, with two Democrats joining Republicans in supporting the motion. The measure will now be sent to the Senate, where it is expected to face an uphill battle for approval.
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