Juan M‡rquez, left, and Tim Green, right, demonstrate the blasting and priming techniques for repairing the U.S. Capitol Dome for the media as the Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers gives an update on the completion of the scaffolding and the start of repairs for the U.S. Capitol Dome Restoration Project at the roof of the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, November 18, 2014. The Dome of the U.S. Capitol Building, one of AmericaÕs great symbols of freedom, needs additional restoration as part of an on-going multi-phased program. This project is a critical step for stopping the current level of deterioration in the DomeÕs cast iron as well as ensuring the protection of the interior of the Dome and Rotunda. The restoration project includes removal of old paint, repairs to the cast iron and stone, and repainting.(Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)