Overview

• Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) will not be investigated by the House Ethics Committee for pulling a fire alarm in a House office building ahead of a government spending vote at the end of September.
• Bowman pleaded guilty last month to a misdemeanor count of falsely pulling a fire alarm, agreeing to pay a $1,000 fine, serve three months probation, and issue a formal apology to the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP).
• The fire alarm triggered by Bowman led to an evacuation of Cannon House Office Building and a Capitol Police investigation that resulted in a criminal referral to prosecutors in Washington, D.C.
• Despite the incident taking place during a showdown over spending that ultimately resulted in Washington averting a government shutdown with a 45-day continuing resolution, Bowman denied that pulling the alarm was a delay tactic.
• Bowman will return for a court hearing on Jan. 29, 2024, to assess his compliance with the plea agreement and consider dismissing the charge.