Jamaal Bowman, a Socialist Representative from New York, caused a disruption in the House office building by pulling the fire alarm during a vote on a Republican stopgap spending bill. The incident, captured on camera and witnessed by several, drew criticism from fellow politicians.

Staten Island GOP Representative Nicole Malliotakis condemned the act, emphasizing the seriousness of the legislative proceedings. Malliotakis’s office announced intentions to seek Bowman’s expulsion from the chamber. Pulling a false fire alarm is a misdemeanor in the District of Columbia and can result in up to six months of imprisonment. The U.S. Capitol Police and Bowman have been contacted for further information.

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Who is Jamaal Bowman?

Jamaal Anthony Bowman, born on April 1, 1976, is an American educator and politician who has been representing New York’s 16th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2021. This district encompasses a significant portion of the north Bronx, as well as the southern region of Westchester County, including cities like Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, and his hometown, Yonkers.

Before entering politics, Bowman founded and served as the principal of the Cornerstone Academy for Social Action, a public middle school located in Eastchester, Bronx. He is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, specifically the Lower Hudson Valley chapter. In a surprising upset, Bowman defeated Eliot Engel, who had held the seat for 16 terms, in the 2020 Democratic primary.

Part of the progressive faction within the House of Representatives known as the Squad, Bowman aligns with other like-minded Democrats pushing for more progressive policies.

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Bowman’s early years were spent in Manhattan, but he primarily resided with his grandmother in East Harlem on weekdays, while spending weekends with his mother and sisters in Yorkville. Tragically, his grandmother passed away when he was just eight years old. At 16, he moved with his family to Sayreville, New Jersey, where he attended Sayreville War Memorial High School and was an active member of the football team.

His pursuit of education led him to Potomac State Junior College initially, followed by the University of New Haven, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in sports management in 1999. During this time, he also played college football for the New Haven Chargers. Continuing his academic journey, Bowman obtained a Master of Arts in counseling from Mercy College and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Manhattanville College.