The US House and Senate were forced into emergency recess on Wednesday after protesters supportive of outgoing President Donald Trump breached security cordons and entered the Capitol building after clashing with police.
"Without objection, the chair declares the House in recess," congressman Jim McGovern said, banging down the gavel as loud shouts and disturbances could be heard in the public galleries in the chamber.
Officials at the US Capitol declared a lockdown, and lawmakers said on Twitter that they were sheltering in place in their offices, as protesters - some of them holding Trump flags - were seen walking through the building.
Police have sent orders for Congressional staff to leave the Cannon building and other large offices after Mr Trump called on his followers to protest the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory inside the building.
"Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat. Now we're seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police," said Representative Nancy Mace in a tweet.
"This is wrong. This is not who we are. I'm heartbroken for our nation today," she wrote.
