Powdery substance at Senate office tests negative

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WASHINGTON — A threatening letter with a powdery substance was discovered in Sen. Max Baucus’ mailroom today, but the senator’s office said initial tests found no hazard.

Baucus (D-Mont.) is chairman of the Finance Committee and a leader in the Senate’s healthcare debate. There were no reports of illness after the letter was discovered in the Hart Senate Office Building. The senator’s suite of offices was briefly locked down, with nobody allowed to enter or leave, but it was reopened after the negative test results.

Baucus said in a statement, “My staff are hard-working, dedicated public servants and their safety is my No. 1 priority. I’m relieved to hear that everyone is safe at this time, and I have the utmost confidence in the Capitol police and know that they will continue to do everything they can to keep all of us safe.”

-- Associated Press