Politics & Government
UPDATE: House Side of U.S. Capitol Building Reopened Thursday Morning
Architect's Office cites asbestos concerns.
UPDATE 9:30 a.m. The U.S. House of Representatives has reopened after concerns about potential exposure to asbestos.
"The House Side of the Capitol has reopened to Members and Staff with certain areas remaining closed," the Architect of the Capitol said in a statement.
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The House side of the U.S. Capitol is temporarily closed Thursday morning, until further notice by authorities. Lawmakers and staff have been told to stay away until it reopens.
"During ongoing asbestos abatement work there was a potential release affecting the House side of the Capitol," the Architect of the Capitol said on their Facebook page at 8:20 a.m. Thursday.
"Samples have been collected to determine whether there was potential exposure. AOC and USCP are investigating and will provide updates when available," the office noted.
CNN reports a piece of ceiling fell down around 3 a.m., exposing a chemical substance in a work area.
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