Just as the FCC was about to vote on eliminating its net neutrality rules this afternoon, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai was interrupted by a staffer and then called for a break in the meeting.

"On advice of security, we need to take a brief recess," Pai said.

Best part of the net neutrality hearing so far is when they let dogs wander all over the room. pic.twitter.com/kscIfR0BGE — Philip Bump (@pbump) December 14, 2017

A security official then advised attendees to leave all of their belongings in place, and everyone left the meeting room. According to a running camera used by The Washington Post for Facebook Live, police soon swept through the room with dogs.

FCC hearing on #NetNeutrality abruptly interrupted: “On advice of security, we need to take a brief recess." https://t.co/8rID5YVtXC pic.twitter.com/Nuvyznzhrc — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) December 14, 2017

The meeting continued after a short, roughly 20-minute delay. Officials on-scene initially said Pai's statement at the dais would be the only comment, but the Department of Homeland Security shared further details later in the day. A spokesperson said the evacuation and search were conducted because of a bomb threat, according to The Verge. The Post's Fung reports that an anonymous phone call came at 12:35pm ET saying two bombs had been planted at the agency (one in the meeting room and another elsewhere). The threat ultimately prompted a sweep by bomb-sniffing dogs.

Commissioners back at the table. Pai says the order came from Federal Protective Services. Then: “Where was I?” pic.twitter.com/PlrnPWnRUW — Brian Fung (@b_fung) December 14, 2017

When the meeting resumed, Pai simply picked up where he left off with his comments. A vote became imminent, and eventually the Republican majority prevailed 3-2 to roll back the current net neutrality protections.

This story and its headline were updated on December 14 at 9pm after DHS revealed the nature of the security threat.