U.S. Capitol lockdown lifted

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Capitol and Capitol Visitor Center were briefly on lockdown Friday morning while the Capitol Police investigated an employee of the Rayburn House Office Building.

"At approximately 8:42 a.m. the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) directed that the U.S. Capitol Building and Capitol Visitor Center be placed in a lockdown, out of an abundance of caution, after officers identified an item within a backpack of an employee passing through the Rayburn House Office Building to the U.S. Capitol that appeared to be a weapon," Eva Malecki, the communications director for the Capitol Police said in a statement.

"Upon further investigation, USCP officers determined that the item was not a threat to the Congressional community, and the lockdown was lifted and normal operations were restored," she added.

The House had met briefly before being dismissed for recess.