News of U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner’s photos that he took of himself in the House gym raised a couple of questions in my mind — “The House has a gym? Why?”

The gymnasium is located beneath the Rayburn House Office Building, according to the website of the Architect of the Capitol.

Here’s a description of the building, which was completed in 1965, from the Architect of the Capitol: “The design of the building is a modified H plan with four stories above ground, two basements, and three levels of underground garage space. A white marble facade above a pink granite base covers a concrete and steel frame. One hundred sixty-nine Representatives were accommodated in three-room suites, with modern-for-the-time features such as toilets, kitchens, and built-in file cabinets; nine committees were also moved to this building. Amenities include a cafeteria, first aid room, Library of Congress book station, telephone and telegraph room, recording studio, post office, gymnasium, and facilities for press and television. A subway tunnel with two cars connects the building to the Capitol, and pedestrian tunnels join it to the Longworth Building.”

The website doesn’t go into why House members need a gym. I guess, there are no private gyms in Washington, D.C. Additionally, why is there a telegraph room? Maybe representatives need to send telegrams to their districts — “Just scored 10 in pickup game against Republicans. Stop. Great victory. Stop. But we will lose funding for new bridge.”