NH Delegates React to Anthrax Scare at Capitol
WASHINGTON – The United States Capitol building is closed to visitors, all Capitol mail service has been halted and anyone who was in the Hart Senate building Monday afternoon is being offered testing and treatment, after possibly being exposed to anthrax found in a package opened in Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle’s office.
Despite all the latest scares, the New Hampshire Congressional delegation and their staffs are not worried about the threat of biological attack.
“I think that all we need to be is alert, aware and concerned, but not fearful,” said Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH). “I’m not the slightest bit concerned.”
Jeff Turcotte, Press Secretary for Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) agreed, saying Gregg and his staff members are not fearful, but focused on “returning to some normalcy in a very unusual time.”
But normal mail delivery has been discontinued temporarily at the Capitol.
“The Senate has suspended mail delivery and I have instructed my staff not to handle any mail, and to follow the procedures for caution about suspicious packages,” said Senator Bob Smith (R-NH) in a written statement.
Smith’s office is located in the Dirksen office building, which is adjacent to the Hart building which houses Daschle’s office. Smith’s office in Manchester also was evacuated today due to a suspicious package that arrived in the building. No conclusive test results are available yet, but Smith said that he would keep the people of New Hampshire posted.
The change in the mail delivery system on Capitol Hill will have some effect on business around the Capitol.
“It’s going to take quite a bit longer to get mail into the office,” Bass said. “Our correspondents won’t be answered as quickly as it has in the past.”
Turcotte urged New Hampshire residents who are concerned about getting their voices heard to send e-mail or call Senator Gregg’s office in order to get a quicker response.
Although many members of Congress and their staffs are being tested today for anthrax exposure, Bass said he has not been tested because he has no concern at this point of being at risk.
Smith agreed. “I personally have not been tested, as I do not believe I have been exposed.”
The overall sentiment of the New Hampshire Congressional delegation after the discovery of anthrax in the office of one of their colleagues is to continue doing their jobs with increased caution – but not fear.
“We’re going to do the business of Congress and not allow these people to interrupt it,” Bass said. “We’re not going to allow the acts of terror to change or alter in any way our ability to do the nation’s business.”
Smith agreed. “I would like to urge citizens to act prudently and cautiously on all of these matters, yet remain calm, diligent, and be on high alert for any package believed to look suspicious,” he said.
