![]() The House Office Building allowed the House to go about its business in a more efficient and professional manner. ![]() With expanded space, committees could hold more public hearings, congressmen could meet with constituents, and additional staff hired to accommodate the requests that flowed into the House from citizens around the country. These new offices for Members of Congress dramatically changed how the House of Representatives worked. Hastings oversaw the construction of the Beaux-Arts-style House office building in 1906 to 1908. Superintendent of the Capitol Building and Grounds, Elliot Woods (1865-1923), recommended the architectural firm Carrère & Hastings for both the House and the Senate Office Building. When the 1903 appropriations bill came before the Senate, senators approved the new building plans, contingent upon the addition of a corresponding Senate building. The final Civil Appropriations Act of Maprovided initial funding of $500,000 to acquire land for a new House office building and an appropriation of $3.1 million for construction. The House of Representatives approved an amendment to an appropriations bill in February 1903, calling for a new fireproof building for the House to be located on the south side of the Capitol. The second project, calling for two new office buildings, moved ahead more quickly. The first would have provided for a $2 million extension of the Capitol’s east front, but this project proved highly controversial and unpopular among those who wanted to preserve the building’s original exterior. As more constituents and growing workloads put increasing amounts of pressure on representatives, it became clear that members of Congress needed additional space.Ĭongress considered two new Capitol construction projects in 1901. The House Chamber in the Capitol opened in 1857, but the number of representatives quickly grew from 193 to 391, as more states joined the Union with westward expansion. Staff members still report to their offices on Capitol Hill, but there are likely fewer people in the office buildings during the recess period.House Office Building (Cannon House Office Building)Ī rapidly expanding nation meant more house representatives, who required more office space over time. Most lawmakers are currently away from the Capitol and in their congressional districts for the August recess. While the Russell building was evacuated, the security posture at the Capitol building itself appeared fairly calm, but alert. It told people to close, lock and stay away from external doors and windows and to find a place to hide or seek cover if they are in a public space. Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty ImagesĪn email sent out to congressional staff warned people to move inside their office or the nearest one and to take emergency equipment and visitors. People walk out of the Russell Senate Office Building with their hands in the air on Wednesday. Officers blocked access to the underground tunnels leading to the Senate office buildings from the main Capitol building. It should be noted that we do not have any confirmed reports of gunshots." In a follow-up post, Capitol Police said, “If you are inside the Senate Buildings, everyone inside should be sheltering in place as the report was for a possible active shooter. We will continue to communicate with the public here," the agency tweeted. "Please stay away from the area as we are still investigating. that their officers were searching in and around a Senate office building in response to "a concerning 911 call." Capitol Police tweeted just before 3 p.m. No injuries and no shooter were located." He said that MPD was assisting Capitol Police. Jacquelyn Martin / APīefore Manger spoke to reporters, Officer Hugh Carew of the Metropolitan Police Department said that "a call came in for an active shooter. ![]() U.S Capitol Police Officers patrol near the Russell Senate Office Building on Wednesday. Metropolitan Police attempted to trace the original caller several times, Manger said, but each time a different location was listed.Īuthorities in Washington have been making preparations for the arrival of former President Donald Trump, who is expected to appear at his arraignment on Thursday afternoon at a federal courthouse in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 election.Įarlier Wednesday, two law enforcement officials told NBC News that police locked down and evacuated the Russell Senate Office Building after receiving reports about a possible active shooter.
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