House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has called for repercussions against Rep. Jamaal Bowman after an unintentional activation of a fire alarm in a Capitol office building.
McCarthy drew a parallel between this incident and the actions of the Jan 6 rioters who attacked the Capitol. Emphasizing the need for seriousness, McCarthy suggested the Ethics Committee should handle the matter.
Bowman swiftly issued an apology, attributing the incident to rushing for a vote and facing a door that wouldn’t open. Despite the apology, McCarthy insisted on pursuing consequences, referring to the incident as an embarrassment that should not be overlooked.
A security footage screenshot was distributed to locate the individual responsible for pulling the alarm.
Investigations by the U.S. Capitol Police and the House Administration Committee are underway, and McCarthy’s call for punishment has triggered further political responses.
Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis has announced her intention to introduce a resolution for Bowman‘s expulsion, asserting that such actions are unacceptable in the U.S. Congress. Meanwhile, Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries reserved comment until he reviews the video evidence.
The incident disrupted a crucial vote, with Democrats accusing Republicans of attempting to rush it. This led to a delayed start, and Democrats, given limited notice, expressed frustration. Despite the disruption, the vote eventually proceeded two and a half hours later, with Democrats predominantly supporting the bill.