Censuring Representative Jamaal Bowman.

Censuring Representative Jamaal Bowman.

Whereas, on September 30, 2023, as the House of Representatives was considering legislation to avoid a lapse of appropriations for Federal agencies and departments which would result in a shutdown of those agencies and departments, Jamaal Bowman, the Representative from the 16th Congressional District of New York, pulled a fire alarm;

Whereas section 22–1319 of the District of Columbia Criminal Code makes knowingly causing a false alarm of fire a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment up to six months, or both;

Whereas section 22–1319 of the District of Columbia Criminal Code states “It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to willfully or knowingly give a false alarm of fire within the District of Columbia, and any person or persons violating the provisions of this subsection shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be punished by a fine not more than the amount set forth in section 22–3571.01 [of this Code] or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or by both such fine and imprisonment”;

Whereas, on October 26, 2023, Representative Bowman pled guilty to violating section 22–1319 of the District of Columbia Criminal Code and was required to pay a $1,000 fine and write an apology letter to the United States Capitol Police and was placed on probation; and

Whereas the actions of Representative Bowman forced the evacuation of the Cannon House Office Building and disrupted the work of the Congress as a vote was underway on the floor of the House: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved,