The US House of Representatives has cancelled its planned Thursday session after Capitol Police warned a militia group could be plotting to breach the building that was subjected to a deadly attack on 6 January.
The House had been scheduled to debate and vote on a police reform bill but a Democratic aide said plans changed due in part to the police warning, based on intelligence that "an identified militia group" could present a security threat.
The Senate will convene as planned to begin debating President Joe Biden's $S1.9 USD ($2.4 AUD) trillion COVID-19-relief bill on Thursday.
Authorities have said right-wing extremists were among a mob of supporters of former President Donald Trump that stormed the Capitol on 6 January, interrupting the formal certification of Mr Biden's election victory.
Some right-wing conspiracy theorists have falsely claimed Mr Trump, defeated by Mr Biden in the 3 November election, will be sworn in for a second term on Thursday.
The Justice Department has charged more than 300 people with taking part in the January Capitol siege, in which five people, including a police officer were killed.
Members of the National Guard stand at the East Front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 3 March 2021 Source: AP
Among those arrested were members of the right-wing groups called the Oath Keepers, Three Percenters and Proud Boys. The Oath Keepers and Three Percenters are armed militia groups.
"The United States Capitol Police Department is aware of and prepared for any potential threats towards members of Congress or towards the Capitol complex," it said in its statement.
It said it is working with local, state and federal agencies "to stop any threats to the Capitol," adding, "We are taking the intelligence seriously." It did not disclose the nature of the intelligence.
The statement noted police had made "significant security upgrades" at the Capitol.
On Tuesday, Acting House Sergeant at Arms Timothy Blodgett notified members of a possible security threat spanning Thursday through Saturday.
It referred to "potential protests and demonstration activity surrounding what some have described as the 'true Inauguration Day.'"
For nearly a century, US presidents have been inaugurated on 20 January, including Mr Biden, who took the oath of office on the grounds of the Capitol. Previously, 4 March had been the swearing-in date.
Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman testified to Congress on 25 February that Trump supporters who launched the January attack have indicated they want to "blow up" the building and kill politicians.
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