U.S. Response:  25,000 Gas Masks Headed to U.S. Capitol

Capitol Police have ordered 25,000 gas masks to store around the U.S. Capitol to protect members of Congress, congressional staff and tourists against a chemical or biological attack, the Associated Press reported today.

The police expect to announce the order today, a congressional official said.  The masks, known as quick masks, are not the same as full gas masks but are hoods that filter chemical and biological agents through a fitted mouthpiece, according to the AP.

The House floor has had gas masks available for years, but the big change in the new purchase is that masks will now be available to tourists and staff in addition to lawmakers.

“They (the police) were basically just trying to include tourists,” the congressional official said.  “They’re not going to have only 535 masks.”

The purchase of masks is not a response to any specific threat, the official said.  “The reason we’re doing it is because the Capitol was targeted for a bioterrorist attack, the anthrax attack,” the official said (see GSN, March 7).

Other Capitol Security Measures

Since Sept. 11, Capitol authorities have implemented several new security measures.  Before the attacks, tourists were allowed to walk freely around much of the Capitol building, but visitors now can take only guided tours.  Cement barriers and metal posts have been set up around the Capitol, and the Capitol Police force has added 700 officers (Leslie Miller, Associated Press/New York Times, June 26).

Back to top

About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines

HOME  |  CONTACT US  |  GET INVOLVED  |  SITE MAP