Sen. Dianne Feinstein is serious about trying to make sure that people don’t try to profit from Barack Obama’s inauguration by selling tickets to the swearing in. And today she introduced a bill to put some teeth in that sentiment.
“The Inauguration of the President is one of the most important rituals of our democracy. The chance to witness this event should not be bought and sold like tickets to a football game,” said Feinstein, D-Calif., who as chair of the inaugural committee will emcee the Jan. 20 ceremony.
As I explained in my Letter from Washington this past week, inaugural tickets are distributed by House and Senate members and all the offices are already oversubscribed with requests. Congressional offices won’t even get the tickets until the week before the swearing in and people will have to show ID when they go – in person – to pick up the tickets.
“This legislation is meant to immediately stop the unscrupulous behavior of those who obtain these tickets for free and then seek to profit by selling them, often at dramatically inflated prices,” she said. “This bill also would target those duping the public with fraudulent tickets or promises of tickets they don’t actually have.”
“It is my hope that Congress will pass this legislation during this week’s lame-duck session so that we can stop scam artists and profiteers from maligning this historic event,” Feinstein said. It’s too early to tell if she can make that happen.
The bill would make it illegal to sell or attempt to sell tickets to the swearing it. It also would be 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 up to one year in jail.
No websites or other ticket outlets have inaugural swearing-in tickets to sell, despite what they may claim, Feinstein said in a statement her office just put out. Last week, Ebay/StubHub announced it would not allow the sale of inaugural swearing-in ceremony tickets on any of its websites.
You’ve got to be kidding me! Our state is being overrun by illegal aliens, we are in the middle of the biggest state fiscal crisis we’ve ever been in and this is what Feinstein is worried about? Will we the people of California ever vote this idiot out of office?
jdd - are we even going to be able to vote her out? Isn’t Obama taking her on the ride to DC? She says
““It is my hope that Congress will pass this legislation during this week’s lame-duck session so that we can stop scam artists and profiteers…” of all the unfinished business Congress is leaving she wants WHAT voted on???? Puh-leeze!
Maybe the people who worked so hard and were rewarded with tickets would like to get something for their efforts. Let them sell them to the highest bidder if they don’t want to use them. Boo hoo, you didn’t get enough Diane.
The conservatives sound angry….what else is new.
Despite what the socialist and despicable Senator Diane Feinstein says, there is nothing in the least bit “unscrupulous” about reselling inauguration tickets or any other kind of tickets for profit.
This corrupt woman used her position as Senator to steer multi-billion dollar contracts to her husband’s company for profit. I have no respect for you, Senator Diane Feinstein.
Get rid of Feinstein!
I am getting tired of these scammers who are trying to make money off something that is so meaningful and historical. In my research I came across a site that is offering very helpful information in regards to how to get these tickets free through proper channels. Look at it and pass it on to your friends and family.
http://www.getinaugurationtickets.com
Good luck everyone!
So, I’m not sure if this bill has passed or not, I’m assuming not but I did recieve the call yesterday that I was awarded two tickets through my senators office. I cancelled my travel plans thinking that I would not be able to go. Hopefully my loss is someone else’s gain. The highest donation will be rewarded with the tickets (hey I feel bad but it’s also Christmas crunch time so spare me). tiffanyinks@gmail.com