HAZMAT Called To The Iowa House Floor

HAZMAT crews collect an envelope that contained a suspicious white powder from the floor of the Iowa House chamber Tuesday afternoon. (photo by Chip Baltimore)

Des Moines, Iowa – 5:55 pm. HAZMAT crews collected a letter from and Iowa Representative around 5:30 pm Tuesday afternoon.

A clerk for Rep. Abdul-Samad was opening his mail in the House chamber when a letter with no postage or return address was opened and a white powder substance was in the envelope.

Reports say that the letter was threatening in nature.

Democrat Abdul-Samad represents Iowa House District 66 that covers portions of the Des Moines area.

The Iowa State Patrol has locked down the building while field tests are being conducted. Initial tests have come back clear, but crews continue further testing.

Edit- Around 8 pm, the substance had been determined not to be hazardous and the lockdown had ended.