“As the AOC [Architect of the Capitol] was working on the Chamber Restoration Project, they discovered material behind the existing wall fabric,” The Hill quoted Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving as saying in a statement. “This material content is unknown and is currently being tested.”
The House Chamber is the area of the House of Representatives where legislators introduce, debate and vote on bills. Moreover, electoral votes are also counted in the House Chamber.
Irving explained that out of caution, the House Chamber would be closed “until further notice.”
The discovery of the material occurred while the Architect of the Capitol employees continued to work on a restoration project on the Capitol’s Rotunda, while US lawmakers are on summer recess, according to media.
Members of the Congress left for summer recess last week and will return to Capitol Hill on September 7, 2015.
