New York Republican brings resolution to expel Dem Rep. Bowman over fire alarm episode

New York Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis on Monday introduced a resolution to expel New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman from the lower chamber after he pulled a fire alarm prior to a key vote to avert a government shutdown.

"We've dropped the resolution with twelve cosponsors, and we will continue to add more throughout the day," she told The Hill. "Mr. Bowman's juvenile actions violated both federal and local law and he must be held accountable."

Bowman has admitted to pulling the alarm, but insisted it was a mistake and that he believed doing so would open a locked door. The alarm was in the Cannon House Office Building.

"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," he said at the time. "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."

Republicans have suggested Bowman knowingly pulled the alarm and did so to delay a vote on a continuing resolution that would avert a government shutdown. The chamber ultimately passed that measure.

Malliotakis, for her part, quickly vowed to introduced an expulsion resolution, saying on Saturday that "[t]his is the United States Congress, not a New York City high school," in an apparent reference to Bowman's prior occupation.

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Monday filmed a video in which she took an alternate route out the building and cast doubt on Bowman's claims.

"Let me show you how easy it is to exit the Cannon building if doors are closed for the weekend," she said. "No need to pull a fire alarm, you simply have to walk down some steps. Jamaal Bowman knew what he was doing. He was trying to interrupt the vote."

Let me show you how easy it is to exit the Cannon building if doors are closed for the weekend.

No need to pull a fire alarm, you simply have to walk down some steps.

Jamaal Bowman knew what he was doing. He was trying to interrupt the vote.

Bowman needs to be arrested and… pic.twitter.com/PQuI6kk0sX

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) October 2, 2023

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.