By Anders Anglesey
U.S. News Reporter
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House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, MAGA conservatives and others have accused Rep. Jamaal Bowman of deliberately setting off a fire alarm on Saturday afternoon to stall the crucial funding bill vote, and compared his actions to those of January 6 Capitol rioters.
The Democrat from New York said he activated the alarm in an attempt to open a door to reach a vote, and denied claims he was try to delay the vote on the hotly contested bill.
Despite Bowman's explanation, Republicans and others hit out against the congressman, with McCarthy branding the incident a "new low."
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The mayhem came as Congress rushed to approve legislation to fund the federal government, ultimately passing a bipartisan short-term spending bill that will keep federal funding at its current levels for 45 days. It follows weeks of fears that Congress would be unable to reach a deal by the end of September, resulting in a government shutdown.
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Bowman said in a post shared to X, formerly Twitter: "Today, as I was rushing to make a vote, I came to a door that is usually open for votes but today would not open.
"I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door. I regret this and sincerely apologize for any confusion this caused."
He continued: "But 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 a vote, which I ultimately did, and joined my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to keep our government open.
"I also met after the vote with the Sergeant at Arms of the Capitol Police, at their request, and explained what had happened. My hope is that no one will make more of this than it was."
Newsweek has reached out to Bowman via email for comment.
However, while speaking to reporters following the successful passage of the federal government funding bill, McCarthy referred to the January 6 rioters, adding: "I think [the House] Ethics should look at this but this is serious.
"When you think of how other people are treated when they wanted to come in and change the course of what was happening in this building."
He continued: "I'm going to have a discussion with the Democratic leader about it. But this should not go without punishment. This is an embarrassment."
The Intercept co-founder Glenn Greenwald shared a critical post on X that included an MSNBC report on the incident, where he added: "I know there are going to be even funnier attempts by the media to defend Jamaal Bowman - - even though what he's alleged to have done isn't just a crime but a felony under the theories of the Jan 6 case - - but the way they degrade themselves for Dems like this is hilarious."
Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shared a video to X about the fire alarm incident, saying: "This is while an official proceeding is happening on the House floor. Well, let's talk about what that is. That is violating a law. That is the exact same law that January 6 defendants are being prosecuted by the Department of Justice."
Happy Hour podcast host and Donald Trump supporter Julie Kelly said in an X post shared with her 487,200 followers: "Rep. Bowman clearly violated numerous laws including 1512(c)(2) obstruction of an official proceeding.
"At least 320 Jan 6 defendants including Donald Trump have been charged with this felony…This includes defendants who didn't enter the building."
A U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) department spokesperson previously confirmed to Newsweek on Saturday that a fire alarm was "activated" at about 12:05 p.m. on the second floor of the Cannon building, which houses congressional offices.
A USCP statement added: "The building was evacuated while USCP officers checked the building. The building was reopened after it was determined that there was not a threat. An investigation into what happened and why continues."
Update 10/02/2023 1:32 p.m. ET: This story was updated for context and clarity.
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