Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) allegedly set off a fire alarm at the U.S. Capitol complex moments before the House was scheduled to vote on a bill that would prevent a government shutdown, according to the House Administration Committee of the Chamber.
Falsely reporting a fire is a misdemeanor in the District of Columbia punishable by a fine or up to six months in jail.
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) delivered a lengthy, gridlocked speech minutes later as Democrats tried to delay a vote on a 45-day extension of government funding. The bill eventually passed by a wide margin after the incident.
Rep. Jim Banks is among those calling for Bowman’s arrest, tweeting the possibility that Bowman’s actions could be part of a conspiracy among Democrats.