Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Jamaal Bowman
Pursuant to Committee Rule 7, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics (Committee) determined to release the following statement:
The Committee received a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) regarding allegations that Representative Jamaal Bowman may have willfully or knowingly given a false alarm of fire within the District of Columbia and may have obstructed or attempted to impede an official House proceeding. In its referral, OCE unanimously recommended that the Committee further review allegations that Representative Bowman gave a false fire alarm and dismiss allegations that he obstructed or attempted to impede an official House proceeding.
The Committee independently reviewed the allegations that are the subject of OCE’s referral, pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a). While the Committee’s review was ongoing, on October 26, 2023, Representative Bowman pled guilty in the District of Columbia Superior Court to knowingly and willfully giving a false fire alarm, pursuant to a deferred sentencing agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Representative Bowman was required to write a letter of apology to the Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, pay a $1,000 fine, and make a $50 contribution to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.
Pursuant to Committee Rule 18(e)(2) and House Rule XI, clause 3(b)(9), within 30 days of a Member being indicted or otherwise formally charged with criminal conduct, the Committee shall either establish an Investigative Subcommittee (ISC) or report to the House describing its reasons for not establishing an ISC. On November 22, 2023, the Committee announced that a majority of the Members of the Committee did not agree to establish an ISC or issue a report to the House. At that time, some Members of the Committee thought it was appropriate to impanel an ISC immediately, while other Members of the Committee thought that any action should wait until OCE made its referral.
On December 7, 2023, a majority of the House of Representatives voted to censure Representative Bowman for his conduct. The censure resolution included language that Representative Bowman knowingly caused a false fire alarm, forced the evacuation of the Cannon House Office building, and disrupted the work of the House.
On December 11, 2023, OCE transmitted its referral recommending that the Committee further review allegations that Representative Bowman gave a false fire alarm.
In light of the House’s intervening censure of Representative Bowman, the Committee determined that further review of Representative Bowman’s conduct would be moot. The Committee has separately confirmed that Representative Bowman has complied with the relevant terms of his deferred sentencing agreement.
House Rule XI, clause 3 and Committee Rule 17A provide for no specific further action. The Committee will not further review the matter.
Pursuant to House Rule XI, clause 3(b)(8)(E) and Committee Rule 17A(g), the Committee hereby publishes OCE’s Report and Findings.
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