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Air threat nearly evacuates Capitol |
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By Alexander Bolton
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Posted: 03/05/08 07:06 PM [ET] |
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Security officials nearly evacuated the Capitol Wednesday evening after an unidentified plane entered restricted airspace, said Senate sources. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), speaking on the chamber floor, told colleagues at about 6:15 pm that security officials had invoked a Code Orange alert. Reid said senators would be required to evacuate if the threat level rose to Code Red.
Police officers instructed Senate aides to evacuate to a nearby park but a formal evacuation order was never given, said one person who was instructed to leave.
The pilot was reached by air traffic controllers and subsequently left the restricted airspace, prompting officials to dismiss the need for an evacuation.
Many senators and aides never left the building.
House lawmakers and aides did not receive any warning, said a House source.
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