'I Am Embarrassed To Admit That I Activated The Fire Alarm,' Bowman

NEW YORK — Rep. Jamal Bowman has apologized for triggering a fire alarm in a U.S. Capitol office building. The congressman representing New York's 16th Congressional district characterized the incident as a mistake that happened while he was rushing to make a key vote needed to avoid a federal government shutdown on Friday.

"I want to personally clear up confusion surrounding today’s events," Bowman said in a statement released late Friday night. "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."

The apology rang hollow for political opponents, some of whom described the congressman's actions as akin to insurrection.

"This should not go without punishment," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters. "This is an embarrassment."

For his part, Bowman said that political opponents were trying "weaponize" his mistake.

"I want to be very clear, this was not me, in any way, trying to delay any vote," Bowman said in his statement. "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."

The fire alarm sounded out around noon 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.

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.

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

The AP contributed to this report