A bomb squad has removed a suspicious package from Washington's Capitol building.

The Washington State Patrol reopened the building to workers and the public around noon Monday, about two hours after evacuating the site. A bomb squad member wearing full protective gear and helmet carried a cloth shopping bag out of the building.

Authorities say the package was suspicious in part because it was left in a roped-off area in the center of the Capitol rotunda.

Lawmakers are not in session at the Capitol, but staff members for the governor's office and other state agencies work in the building.