Rep. Bowman says triggering fire alarm ahead of House spending bill vote was ‘innocent mistake’

U.S. Capitol Police are investigating after a fire alarm was precipitated in a congressional place of business construction prior to the House of Representatives voted on a stopgap spending bill as a central authority shutdown looms.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., admitted to pulling the alarm within the Cannon House Office Building — although instructed ABC News the incident was an “innocent mistake.”

“I was rushing to make a vote,” Bowman mentioned.

“I didn’t know it would trigger the whole building,” he added.

Bowman mentioned he idea the alarm — which is pink and says “FIRE” in capital letters — would open the door he normally makes use of to get from his place of business construction to the Capitol for votes.

The fire alarm was precipitated at 12:05 p.m. on the second one ground of the construction, in line with a U.S. Capitol Police spokesperson. The construction was evacuated and reopened after officials decided there was no risk.

“An investigation into what happened and why continues,” the Capitol Police spokesperson mentioned in a remark to ABC News.

The alarm went off as Democrats had been scrambling to make it again to the Capitol to vote and purchase themselves extra time to study the GOP bill.

Republicans are already accusing Bowman of obstructing the House’s paintings — likening his movements to the costs the Justice Department has leveled in opposition to former President Donald Trump and masses of Jan. 6 rioters.

“We’ve watched how people have been treated if they’ve done something wrong in this Capitol. It would be interesting to see how he is treated,” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., instructed newshounds Saturday afternoon.

McCarthy also known as for an Ethics Committee investigation, whilst no less than one Republican is looking for Bowman to be expelled.

“This is the United States Congress, not a New York City high school. This action warrants expulsion & I’m introducing a resolution to do just that,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., posted on X.

Bowman mentioned the advice that he was looking to lengthen the vote was “complete B.S.”

Republicans “will do what they’re going to do,” he mentioned in accordance with their threats.

The House in the long run handed the 45-day stopgap spending bill — sending it to the Senate with hours left prior to the shutdown time limit. In the 335-91 vote, only one House Democrat voted in opposition to the bill, whilst 90 Republicans adversarial McCarthy’s bipartisan resolution. Seven lawmakers overlooked the vote.

After the vote, the House temporarily adjourned till midday on Monday — so if the Senate fails to approve the House bill, they may not come again to check out one thing else.

Lawmakers have till the tip of the day Saturday to succeed in a deal to stay a lot of the federal government open. If they fail, the U.S. will head into what can be one of the biggest govt shutdowns in historical past.