Bowman Reacts To His Historic Censure Over False Fire Alarm On Hill

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The U.S. House of Representatives has voted 214-191, mostly along party lines, to censure Rep. Jamaal Bowman over an infamous fire alarm incident.

The congressman from the Hudson Valley has issued an at times humble and at times fiery statement in response to the historic vote to censure him.

"I want to thank Democratic leadership and my countless other colleagues for standing up for me last night during the debate," Bowman said. "Your words were so kind and I am always grateful to have you all by my side. I have expressed deep regret, apologized for my mistake, and taken accountability for my actions. I also went through the proper investigative processes with the Republican controlled House Committee on Ethics, which decided not to open a formal investigation."

The lawmaker vowed not to let the vote silence him and blamed partisanship for the Republican-led effort to shame him.

"I had hoped that we could devote our time and resources to doing our jobs and addressing the issues Americans care about," the congressman said. "Americans desperately need us to act with urgency to address the high costs of healthcare, prevent gun violence, invest in education, and so much more, but my colleagues have made it explicitly clear that they would rather relitigate already settled matters than do what we were sent here to do and legislate. This Republican House is unserious and unproductive, and I know that their efforts to target me are a testament to the importance of my voice in pushing back against their disingenuous rhetoric and harmful policies. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of New York’s 16th district and the country."

A fire alarm sounded out around noon on Sept. 29, in the Cannon House Office Building and prompted a building-wide evacuation at a time when the House was in session and staffers were working in the building. The building was reopened an hour later after Capitol police determined it was not a threat.

Hours later, Bowman would admit he was at fault.

He pleaded guilty in October to a misdemeanor related to the incident, agreeing to pay a fine and offer a written apology.

"I want to be very clear, this was not me, in any way, trying to delay any vote," Bowman said in his statement released at the time. "It was the exact opposite — I was trying urgently to get to 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 and 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. I am working hard every day, including today, to do my job, to do it well, and deliver for my constituents."

SEE ALSO:

• 'I Am Embarrassed To Admit That I Activated The Fire Alarm,' Bowman
• Rep. Jamaal Bowman Charged In Infamous Fire Alarm Incident
• Congressman Jamaal Bowman Arrested By Capitol Police

At the time of the evacuation, House Democrats were working to delay a vote on a 45-day stopgap funding bill to keep federal agencies open, according to the AP.

That funding package was ultimately approved 335-91, with most Republicans and almost all Democrats, including Bowman, voting to pass the bill.

"Over the last 3 years I have tirelessly fought for my constituents by bringing over $125 million to my district, helping save members of our community over $7 million, and resolving over 6,500 constituent casework issues," Bowman said ahead of today's vote. "I’ve introduced over 50 bills, resolutions, and amendments and had two bills on STEM education passed in the historic CHIPS and Science Act.Even today, as Republicans force a censure on me, I introduced a new bill, the College Athlete Right to Organize, to ensure our college athletes get paid for their time and hard work. No matter the result of the censure vote tomorrow, my constituents know I will always keep fighting for them."

Fellow squad members backed their political ally, calling the vote a partisan distraction.

"New York Republicans are so embarrassed that they have not accomplished a damn thing for New Yorkers this entire year that they have to find a distraction," Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said. "And so they've decided to target one of the first Black men to ever represent Westchester County in the United States Congress for censure. That is what today is about…I mean, truly, these arguments that are being made here, what's next? Jaywalking. Do you want to get us for jaywalking?"

Bowman also received support from party leadership both on the floor of Congress and in statements released in the last few hours.

"If extreme MAGA Republicans are going to continue to try to weaponize the censure as is being done on this floor right now, going after Democrats repeatedly, week after week after week, because you have nothing better to do, then I volunteer," Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. "Censure me next, censure me next. That's how worthless your censure effort is. It has no credibility, no integrity, no legitimacy. Censure me next and I'll take that censure and I'll wear it next week, next month, next year, like a badge of honor. Go home, sleep well, and say to myself, today was a good day."