Iowa Capitol Locked Down Due to Powder, Threat Authorities locked down the Iowa Statehouse on Tuesday afternoon and wouldn't allow anyone to leave the building after a legislator opened an envelope that contained white powder and a threatening letter. House Speaker Kraig Paulsen said initial tests indicated the powder was not hazardous, but that crews needed to perform more tests to confirm that assessment. The letter was opened by Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, on the House floor. He was taken to a vestibule room off the House chamber while postal inspectors and a Des Moines Fire Department hazardous material team were summoned to examine the substance. Paulsen, a Republican, declined to describe the letter or describe the white powder. He suspended the House's business while the inspection was under way. Paulsen said legislative leaders checked with the Iowa State Patrol and were told lawmakers didn't need to evacuate the House chamber, but couldn't leave the building until tests on the powder were completed. "By direction of the postal inspectors, we are directed to stay in the chamber," Paulsen said from the speaker's chair. A Capitol officer made an announcement on the building's public address system directing everyone to remain in the building. "We just want to be extra cautious," Iowa State Patrol Capt. M.A. Logsdon said. It's challenging in a building like this, but we'll do the best we can. As lawmakers milled around the House, two hazardous materials workers wearing yellow protective suits and oxygen bottles walked into the House chamber at about 5:30 p.m. and went to Samad's desk. They appeared to collect samples. A short time later, Paulsen said the initials tests were negative. Paulsen declined to speculate how long the Statehouse would remain locked down. In mid-November 2001, authorities closed two U.S. Senate office buildings in Washington after letters containing anthrax were sent to Congress. Letters containing anthrax spores sent that year killed five people and sickened 17, and the FBI suspects the attacker was a federal scientist who committed suicide in 2008.