WASHINGTON -- Congressional leaders ordered an unprecedented shutdown of the House and possibly the Senate Wednesday after more than two dozen people in Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle's office tested positive for exposure to anthrax.

U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (pictured, left) spoke with NewsChannel5 about the situation in Washington.

Kucinich said that he will be on the job in Cleveland, but will be keeping in touch by e-mail with his staff members. He said that it's important to keep things going and moving forward.

He said that at the same time, Americans have an obligation for workplace safety in Washington. He said that the buildings will be secured, and officials will make sure that there are no biological agents in any of the other offices.

Congress will go back to legislating on Tuesday, Kucinich said.

"We can't panic," he said. "We have to stay calm, which enables us to protect the very nature of our democracy."

He said that he is concerned, as are all members of Congress, but that he doesn't want to generate fear and hysteria, which becomes the enemy of democracy.

"We have to be cautious, but ready to lead," he said.

Kucinich said that because ours is a government of the people, we don't want to lose our ability to function as a free people in a democratic society.