House Ethics Committee votes against investigating Rep Bowman over pulled fire alarm

The House Ethics Committee voted against opening an investigation into Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N. Y., for pulling a fire alarm in a House of Representatives building ahead of a critical vote in September to avert a government shutdown.

The committee's decision comes just a few weeks after Bowman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in Washington, D. C.

Since a majority of the House did not vote to launch an ethics investigation, lawmakers "did not agree to establish an ISC or report to the House regarding Representative Bowman's conduct," according to a statement from the Ethics Committee.

House ethics rules require that when a member is indicted or formally charged with a criminal offense to either launch an investigative subcommittee (ISC) or report its reasons for not launching one within 30 days.

Bowman was charged with one misdemeanor on Oct. 26.

An arrest warrant filed by U. S. Capitol Police Supervisory Special Agent Joseph McAtee stated that police were notified on Sept. 30 at 12:05 p.m. that a fire alarm had been pulled on the second floor of the Cannon House Office Building.

When Bowman was interviewed by Capitol Police agents, he told them he responded "yes" when asked if he knew anything about the fire alarm. The Democrat representative said he was in a rush because votes were being called, adding that the door is usually open.... (Read more)

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