In a controversial move, the House of Representatives is set to vote on censuring Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York for falsely pulling a fire alarm in a Capitol Hill office building earlier this year. The censure resolution was introduced by Republican Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan, who utilized a privileged resolution to force a vote on the matter within two legislative days. This led to a heated debate on the House floor, with Democrats attempting to prevent the resolution from advancing.

Bowman had pleaded guilty in October to a misdemeanor charge for activating the fire alarm that resulted in the evacuation of the office building. He agreed to pay a $1,000 fine and serve three months of probation. During his defense on the House floor, Bowman claimed that he pulled the fire alarm out of confusion and rush to go vote, stating that he thought it was the exit door. However, a Capitol Police officer investigating the incident stated in an affidavit that there were three signs near the door indicating it was an emergency exit and that an alarm would sound. Security camera footage also captured the incident.

Republicans argued that censuring Bowman would hold him accountable for breaking the law, with some accusing him of purposely triggering the alarm to delay a vote on a bipartisan bill. Meanwhile, Democrats contended that Bowman had already been held accountable through the legal process and criticized the censure resolution as petty and politically motivated. The House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, condemned the Republican tactic of repeatedly censuring Democrats, calling it a disgrace to the institution.

This move to censure Bowman is part of a growing trend in recent years, where lawmakers have sought to censure their colleagues as a means of scoring political points. Two Democrats have already been censured this year, with Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan being censured for her defense of a rallying cry that is seen as calling for the elimination of Israel, and Rep. Adam Schiff of California being censured for his role in congressional investigations of former President Donald Trump.

In the midst of the censure debate, Westchester County executive George Lattimer announced his campaign to challenge Bowman in a primary election next year. The 16th Congressional District, which includes Westchester County and the Bronx, will see a primary contest between Lattimer and Bowman.

The House is expected to vote on the censure resolution in the coming days, with Bowman potentially becoming the 27th lawmaker in the history of the House to be censured if the resolution passes. If censured, Bowman would have to listen to a reading of the resolution reprimanding him in the well of the lower chamber.