Police Evacuate Building Near Capitol Over Possible Suspicious Package

Washington: Authorities evacuated people from several floors of a US Senate office building today after a telephone call reporting a suspicious package, US Capitol Police said.

Police spokeswoman Kimberly Schneider said Capitol Police had received a call about a package in room G-40 of the Dirksen building, which is part of the complex surrounding the US Capitol.

Dirksen houses various offices for US senators and their staff as well as hearing rooms.

"Several floors in the (Dirksen building) have been evacuated as a precaution while the USCP continues to investigate," Schneider said in a statement.

The evacuation interrupted a Senate hearing on the Transportation Security Administration.