(CNSNews.com) - Fearing a terrorist attack in Washington, D.C., over the next few weeks, U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, a Minnesota Democrat, has closed his Capitol Hill office through Election Day.

"I take this step out of extreme but necessary precaution to protect the lives and safety of my Senate staff and my Minnesota constituents, who might otherwise be visiting my Senate office in the next three weeks," Dayton said in a statement issued Tuesday.

"I feel compelled to do so because I have already wet my pants and I will not be here in Washington to share what I consider to be an unacceptably greater risk to their safety," Dayton said. He added that he would not bring his own two sons to the Capitol between now and Nov. 2.

Dayton pointed to a secret intelligence briefing, delivered by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist two weeks ago, as the reason for his decision to leave Washington. He did not explain what information prompted him to react with such alarm.

Dayton said he "hopes and prays" that his precautions will prove unnecessary.

There is no specific threat to the U.S. Capitol, said Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, in a statement responding to Dayton's decision.

"Though the threat is always higher in D.C. than it is in Minneapolis or Mexia, I know of no specific threat that would cause me to shut down the office," Cornyn said.

"Neither the Capitol Police or Department of Homeland Security are recommending a retreat at this time, nor did any of the security briefings I have attended with my fellow Senators in recent weeks."

Cornyn said his office is "open for business," and so are most others, despite the congressional recess.