Republican House formally rebukes Rep. Jamaal Bowman for setting off false fire alarm
Censure vote falls largely along party lines
The Republican-led House on Thursday formally rebuked Representative Jamaal Bowman, a Democrat from New York, for setting off a false fire alarm in a House office building in September.
The House voted 222-202 to censure Bowman, with all Republicans and nine Democrats voting in favor of the resolution.
Bowman has apologized for his actions, saying he did not intend to cause any harm.
Background
On September 15, Bowman pulled a fire alarm in the Longworth House Office Building after he said he smelled smoke.
However, the Capitol Police found no evidence of a fire.
The House Ethics Committee investigated the incident and recommended that Bowman be censured.
Reaction
Bowman said he was "disappointed" by the House's vote.
"I take full responsibility for my actions and I apologize again for any inconvenience I caused," he said in a statement.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the censure was "unnecessary and unwarranted."
"Rep. Bowman has already apologized for his actions and taken responsibility," she said.
Comments