New York Democrat Bowman said triggering the fire alarm «was not me, in any way, trying to delay any vote.»
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, MAGA conservatives, and others have compared New York Democratic Representative Jamaal Bowman’s pulling of a fire alarm to January 6.
The Democrat has denied setting off the fire alarm to stall the crucial vote to avoid a federal government shutdown.
Bowman said in a post shared to X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday, September 30 that he pulled the alarm in an attempt to open a door.
Despite Bowman’s explanation, Republicans and others hit out against the Democrat with McCarthy branding the incident a «new low.»
While speaking to reporters following the successful passage of the federal government funding bill, McCarthy referred to the January 6 rioters, adding: «I think [House] Ethics should look at this but this is serious.
«When you think of how other people are treated when they wanted to come in and change the course of what was happening in this building.»
He continued: «I’m going to have a discussion with the Democratic leader about it. But this should not go without punishment. This is an embarrassment.
