A progressive Democrat and member of the so-called "Squad" is accused of pulling a fire alarm at the Cannon House Office Building on Saturday afternoon in a suspected ploy to delay a continuing resolution vote to avert a government shutdown.
Olivia Beavers, Politico Congress reporter, broke the story on the X social media platform.
"Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) was caught on camera pulling the Cannon fire alarm ahead of this motion to adjourn vote as Dems tried to delay the CR vote, multiple sources tell me," Beavers tweeted on Saturday afternoon. "We have reached out to him for comment – we haven't viewed footage ourselves."
Beavers added, "There was an alert to Capitol Police officers to locate him, I'm told."
The spokesperson said, "An investigation into why it was pulled is underway."
Chad Pergram, senior Congressional correspondent for Fox News, wrote, "Dem NY Rep Jamaal Bowman pulled fire alarm in Cannon Building, forcing evacuation as Dems tried to buy more time to read new CR. USCP criminal investigation unit is questioning Bowman."
House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) said, "Rep. Jamal Bowman pulled a fire alarm in Cannon this morning. An investigation into why it was pulled is underway."
The Democratic Representative was reportedly caught on video triggering the fire alarm.
A spokesperson for Bowman said, "Congressman Bowman did not realize he would trigger a building alarm as he was rushing to make an urgent vote. The Congressman regrets any confusion."
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) proclaimed, "This is the United States Congress, not a New York City high school. To pull the fire alarm to disrupt proceedings when we are trying to draft legislation to AVERT A SHUTDOWN is pathetic…even for members of the socialist squad."
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) said, "If true, this is a crime that carries up to six months in jail. While Republicans are trying to be productive, Democrats are pulling fire alarms in the halls of Congress. Insurrection?"
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) declared, "Democrat Rep Jamaal Bowman reportedly just violated 18 USC 1512(c)(2), interruption of an official proceeding."
Rep. Troy E. Nehls (R-Texas) stated, "I’m hearing Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) was CAUGHT ON CAMERA pulling the fire alarm in a House Office Building to delay the CR vote. IF TRUE: he should be charged with obstructing an official proceeding which is a FELONY. As a former Sheriff, I’d happily slap the cuffs on him."
The New York Times previously wrote of obstruction of an official proceeding charges, "The count — formally known in the penal code as 18 U.S.C. 1512(c)(2) — makes it a crime to 'corruptly' obstruct, impede or interfere with any official government proceeding, and carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison."
Purposely creating a false fire alarm is a misdemeanor in the District of Columbia and is punishable by up to six months in jail.
In March, Bowman wrote online, "No one in this country is above the law" in regards to indictments against former President Donald Trump.
Fox News requested a comment from Bowman's office, but did not receive an immediate response.
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