Citing Terror Threat, Senator Closes Capitol Office, Leaves DC
Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 04:12PM
TheSpook
Citing concerns for the safety of his staff because of the
threat of terrorism, Senator Mark Dayton, Democrat of Minnesota,
announced on Tuesday that he was closing his Capitol Hill office until
after the election. Mr. Dayton said he was basing his decision on
classified information provided to members of Congress a few weeks ago,
though he would not disclose the details. The senator said he felt
obligated to let his staff leave now, as Congress is in recess and he
will not be in the office. "I do so out of extreme, but necessary,
precaution to protect the lives and safety of my Senate staff and my
Minnesota constituents, who might otherwise visit my office in the next
few weeks," Mr. Dayton said a statement. " I feel compelled to do so,
because I will not be here in Washington to share in what I consider to
be an unacceptably greater risk to their safety." Senate officials said
they believed that Mr. Dayton was the lone lawmaker to take such a
step, though some staff members said other offices had discussed
closing. [more
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