(RepublicanPress.org) – In late September, the United States was careening toward a government shutdown, which would’ve had a negative impact on countless Americans. Then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) reached across the aisle to gain Democratic support, passing a temporary measure to stave off catastrophe. While all the voting was happening in short order, Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) pulled a fire alarm in the House building. His spokesperson told Axios he thought the move would open a locked door so he could vote, not realizing it would set off the alarm throughout. The lawmaker was subsequently charged with a crime.
Jamaal Bowman criminally charged in Capitol Hill fire alarm incident https://t.co/z0IS4MKhdH
— FOX 7 Austin (@fox7austin) October 26, 2023
On October 25, Axios reported Bowman pleaded guilty to activating the fire alarm. The lawmaker said he was “responsible” for what he did and will pay the $1,000 fine. In exchange for the NY rep pleading guilty, the Washington, DC, attorney general agreed to drop the charges in three months if Bowman paid the fine and issued a formal apology. The Capitol police are the ones who conducted the investigation into the Bowman matter, sending its conclusions to prosecutors who ultimately came to an agreement with the legislator.
According to the Washington DC criminal code, Bowman could have spent up to six months in prison in addition to the fine. The district’s attorney general’s office assured that the lawmaker was “treated like anyone else” who breaks the law in DC. After the deal was made public, the NY representative said in a statement that he was “grateful” the general counsel’s office agreed he did not “intend to obstruct” House proceedings. Indeed, the voting commenced as planned at the time.
Bowman will appear once again in court on January 29, when the charges against him will be dropped – assuming he complies with all the court’s provisions and keeps his nose clean. There is no indication the legislator will lose his job over his indiscretion.
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