Obama Swearing-In Tickets Only Available Through Inaugural Committee

Tickets to president-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural swearing-in ceremony are being offered through the offices of lawmakers and not through any outlet claiming to sell them, according the inauguration’s planners.

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) said Thursday that it would distribute tickets to the member offices of the 111th Congress the week before the Jan. 20 ceremonies. Individuals interested in getting the free tickets should contact the office of their senator or representative.

“Any website or ticket broker claiming that they have inaugural tickets is simply not telling the truth,” said Howard Gantman, staff director for the JCCIC. “Tickets for the swearing?in of President?elect are all provided through members of Congress, and the President?elect and Vice President?elect through the Presidential Inaugural Committee. We urge the public to view any offers of tickets for sale with great skepticism.”

The JCCIC is made up of Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Bob Bennett (R-Utah), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), and House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio).

–Jordy Yager