Politics

U.S. Capitol Building Slowly Reopens After Asbestos Scare

The House of Representatives will reconvene at noon after an asbestos scare closed the House wing of the U.S. Capitol. 

By Abby Ohlheiser
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The House of Representatives will probably need to find somewhere else to meet this morning. According to multiple reports, the House-side of the U.S. Capitol building is closed because of an "industrial spill," reportedly of asbestos. (Update: most of the Capitol Building has re-opened following the incident. Speaker John Boehner said the House would reconvene at noon to begin the business of the day). 

Fox News's Chad Pergram, citing senior sources at the Capitol, reported on Twitter that "they don't know 'the extent' of industrial spill at Capitol. Air testing going on. EPA & HAZMAT on scene." CNN's Dierdre Walsh, citing Capitol police, reported that a portion of the ceiling fell overnight, "exposing a chemical substance." Roll Call's Hannah Hess says the spilled substance was asbestos, according to her sources. 

Obviously, this is putting a dent in the routines of those who planned to spend the day reporting at the Capitol, or, you know, legislating there. The House is still set to begin its day at 10 a.m., Pergram added. It's not clear if they'll meet at a different location, or how long it will take to assess the extent of the industrial incident and clean it up.

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.