Senator Shuts Office as Election Day Nears

Citing a potential threat for Election Day terrorist attacks, one U.S. Senator has closed his Washington D.C. office until after November 2, but other government officials say he may have overreacted.

In an article on Myrtle Beach Online, Washington Bureau reporter Tom Webb says Sen. Dayton not only closed his office, but also “urged citizens to avoid Capitol Hill, an act that generated controversy in Washington and beyond.” Dayton told Webb he acted after reading a classified memo that was available to all U.S. senators, but said he couldn't discuss its contents.

“There is no evidence to suggest today that we should be closing the office of a sitting U.S. senator,” Erich Mische, the chief of staff to Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn, told Webb. Top Senate and House officials, as well as the U.S. Capitol Police, also said there was no reason to close offices.

A senior FBI official, who wished to remain nameless, told Webb the bureau remained concerned about an attack before the November election, but that there was no new information pointing to a time or place.

The House and Senate largely wrapped up their pre-election business Monday, save for a one-day session scheduled for Oct. 20. Lawmakers are scheduled to return after the Nov. 2 election for a short wrap-up session.

To read Webb’s full article, click here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/9904852.htm