NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s legislative workplace constructing in Nashville was positioned on lockdown after a number of Republican leaders acquired what House Speaker Cameron Sexton referred to as “a white powder substance” within the mail.

“The sixth floor has been placed on lockdown out of an abundance of caution, and hazmat teams are on scene assessing the situation,” Sexton stated in a press release Thursday.

An e mail despatched to constructing workers on Thursday afternoon stated no is allowed to go away or enter the constructing till additional discover.

Jennifer Easton, a spokesperson for the House Republican caucus, additionally issued a press release saying that the letters “contained obvious threats made by a liberal activist specifically targeting Republicans.”

Easton added that Homeland Security and first responders have been investigating and all workers and lawmakers are protected. No accidents have been instantly reported.

The locked-down Cordell Hull constructing is positioned in downtown Nashville, the place it homes lawmakers and legislative staffers, in addition to the General Assembly’s committee listening to rooms. The sixth flooring is usually compromised of House member workplaces for each lawmakers and their staffers.

The constructing additionally connects to the Tennessee Capitol’s major constructing. While lawmakers and staffers work there all 12 months, it’s noticeably much less frequented by the general public when the General Assembly is out of session, which it's now.

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