Police Increase Alertness Level

The FBI has deemed the Web page showing the supposed al-Qaeda video to be of dubious credibility.

"We know al-Qaeda is intent on going after the symbols of our government, but we can't point to a specific threat," said a U.S. official familiar with intelligence reports.

Capitol Police Chief Phillip D. Morse did not respond to a request for an interview. His spokeswoman, Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, said the Capitol Police "always remain vigilant." She declined to discuss any security changes, saying such information was "for official use only."

The e-mail message that was sent to House members and staff last Friday encouraged them "to maintain increased vigilance" and to display their badges while in congressional buildings, according to a copy obtained by The Post.

"Based on public reports it is widely known that the Capitol complex remains a target of interest for terrorist organizations," said the message from the House sergeant-at-arms, Wilson Livingood.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said Livingood told her yesterday evening that "there is no specific threat to the Capitol."

Congress is scheduled to be away for most of August on summer break.

Staff writers Dan Eggen, Spencer S. Hsu, Allison Klein and Joby Warrick contributed to this report.