Ethics panel rejects investigation into Rep. Bowman’s fire alarm incident
OAN’s Abril Elfi
4:58 PM – Wednesday, November 22, 2023
The House of Ethics committee panel has announced that they will not be investigating the inquiry against Democrat Representative Jamaal Bowman for pulling the Capitol’s fire alarm.
On Wednesday, Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and ranking member Representative Susan Wild (D-Pa.) announced that they will not establish a subcommittee to investigate Bowman (D-N.Y.).
When a member of the House is accused of a crime, the panel has 30 days to determine whether to form an investigative subcommittee (ISC) and present a report to the House.
“Pursuant to Committee Rule 10(a), establishment of an ISC and a report to the House regarding the conduct of a Member both require an affirmative vote of a majority of the Members of the Committee,” the committee said in its news release. “A majority of the Members of the Committee did not agree to establish an ISC or report to the House regarding Representative Bowman’s conduct.”
The announcement from the Ethics committee was made almost a month after Bowman entered a guilty plea to a single misdemeanor charge of setting off a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building before a significant House vote.
Before the House could vote on a stopgap bill to fund the government before the deadline for the shutdown, Bowman decided to pull the alarm.
Security camera footage shows Bowman looking at the doors that read “Emergency Exit Only Push Until Alarm Sounds,” then, as he notices that the doors are locked, he gazes at the red fire alarm and pulls it.
According to the lawsuit, after pulling down the alarm, Bowman strolled by Capitol police officers without saying anything or alerting them that he was the individual who was responsible for pulling the alarm.
Bowman then entered the Capitol building again just four minutes after pulling the alarm. Later, he finally admitted that he pulled it, but claimed that the incident was an “innocent mistake.”
“I was rushing to make a vote,” Bowman said. “I didn’t know it would trigger the whole building.”
After the event, some Republicans introduced a bill to censure Bowman, claiming that he was deliberately trying to sabotage the impending vote. As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Bowman promised to “write an apology to Capitol Police and pay a $1,000 fine.”
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What steps should the House Ethics committee take to uphold ethical standards and ensure accountability for elected officials in the future
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Conclusion
The decision by the House Ethics committee not to investigate the incident involving Representative Jamaal Bowman pulling the Capitol’s fire alarm raises questions about accountability and the consequences of such actions. While Bowman has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and agreed to apologize and pay a fine, some argue that this does not go far enough in addressing the seriousness of the offense. The lack of an investigative subcommittee and formal report to the House may leave many unsatisfied with the resolution of this matter.
Regardless of one’s political affiliation, it is important to uphold the principles of accountability in our elected officials. Actions that disrupt and potentially endanger the functioning of governmental institutions should be thoroughly examined and appropriate consequences should be applied. The absence of a comprehensive investigation into this incident could be seen as a missed opportunity to ensure transparency and maintain public trust in the democratic process.
Moving forward, it is crucial that the House Ethics committee carefully considers the implications of such decisions and takes necessary steps to uphold ethical standards in the conduct of its members. The public expects and deserves nothing less than a rigorous and diligent approach to investigating alleged misconduct.
In the case of Representative Jamaal Bowman, the decision not to establish an investigative subcommittee may have far-reaching implications beyond this specific incident. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in holding elected officials accountable and maintaining public confidence in the integrity of our political system.
References
– “The House Ethics Committee Votes Against Investigation into Rep. Jamaal Bowman for Pulling Fire Alarm.” One America News, 22 Nov. 2023, www.oann.com/newsroom/the-house-ethics-committee-votes-against-investigation-into-rep-jamaal-bowman-for-pulling-fire-alarm/.
– Greg Price. “BREAKING: The House Ethics Committee just voted against opening an investigation into Rep. Jamaal Bowman for pulling the fire alarm.” Twitter, 22 Nov. 2023, twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1727396253984833742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw.
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