All-clear given at Capitol Building

Update: At 1 p.m., Schneider said the "all-clear" sign had been given. "Nothing hazardous was found," she said.

Original post: The House chamber and the areas immediately surrounding it were evacuated Monday after a powdery substance was seen on the chamber’s floor.

“It’s a powdery substance that was discovered just before noon,” said Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Capitol Police.

As of 12:50 p.m., Schneider said, the area that was restricted included the chamber itself, the galleries for reporters and visitors and some adjoining hallways. The Capitol building remains open for business. Schneider said tests were being run on the substance.

“We’ll have that immediate area restricted until it’s clear,” she said.

The House returns from its August recess Tuesday, and only pages were present in the chamber when the substance was spotted.

-- Ben Pershing