Congressman Cleaver Introduces Legislation to Ban Sale of Inaugural Tickets
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II has introduced legislation prohibiting the sale and counterfeiting of inaugural tickets. The Clerk of the House has designated the bill H.R. 7312.
The bill would make it unlawful to sell or attempt to sell tickets to the presidential inaugural swearing-in ceremony. The legislation also makes it illegal to create a fraudulent ticket or forge a ticket to the inauguration. Those who violate the law would face fines of up to $100,000 and possible imprisonment for up to one year.
“The Presidential Inauguration is one of our nation’s most important Constitutional moments. At exactly noon on January 20, 2009 we will complete a peaceful transition of power envied around the world. This solemn moment of national pride should not be sullied by greed,” Congressman Cleaver said. “Our Democracy is not for sale, nor are its institutions and rituals. There are tickets for sale right now put up for auction by people who do not have them and will not get them — profiteering in the name of patriotism.
“It is my hope that the House will take up this bill before adjourning for the holiday. I will notify those who will receive tickets from my office this week, and I want to be sure that when we tell our constituents the inaugural is free and open, it is in fact free and open,” said Cleaver.
Tickets to the Inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama are provided free of charge and allocated by Members of Congress. Tickets will not be distributed to Congressional offices until the week before the inauguration and will require in person pick-up with proper identification.
As a warning, no websites or other ticket outlets have inaugural swearing-in tickets to sell, despite what they may claim. Thanks to the efforts of the Joint Committee on Inaugurations Ebay/StubHub have already announced it would not allow the sale of inaugural swearing-in ceremony tickets on any of its websites.