President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in during the 56th Presidential Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC.  Each Member of Congress is allotted a limited number of tickets to distribute to their constituents. 

Due to overwhelming interest in the Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony, unfortunately, my office is no longer taking additional ticket requests. Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein are still accepting requests, however.

Still looking for tickets?

To accommodate those who have not yet applied for tickets, I have reserved a limited number of additional tickets to the inauguration. If you haven't sent in a request yet, here's what you can do:

• Submit an innovative idea to reform America's education system. Children in America today receive vastly unequal educational experiences and opportunities due to substantial differences in funding between schools. Let's solve this problem together.
• Visit my facebook page and tell me why you want to come to the inauguration. Remember - be creative!

Note: Tickets are only available to constituents of the 15th District of California, and are non-transferrable.

Tickets already requested

Notification: If you have already requested tickets through my office, and we are able to accommodate your request, you will be notified in December.  At that time you will receive detailed information regarding ticket pick-up and viewing location.

Ticket Pickup: Please note that tickets cannot be mailed to constituents.  Tickets will not be handed out until the week before the inauguration, and will only be handed out from my office in person (Photo Identification Required).

Cold Temperatures Expected: The Joint Inaugural Committee strongly encourages that the elderly and small children do not attend, as ticket holders will be standing outside in very cold temperatures for multiple hours.

Security: All guests will be required to go through a vigorous security screening.  No food or liquids will be allowed into the ticketed area.

Travel: Due to road closures and security precautions, it is strongly encouraged that ticket holders use the Metro transit system for traveling to and from Capitol Hill. Gates will open at 9:00 AM, and it is suggested that ticket holders arrive early.

Additional information

For more information, please visit the official website of the Inauguration Committee, which includes details on how tickets will be distributed, including an important fraud alert regarding anyone claiming to have tickets for sale. From the release:

The public should be aware that no website or other ticket outlet actually has inaugural swearing‐ in tickets to sell, regardless of what they may claim. Tickets will not be distributed to Congressional offices until the week before the inauguration and will require in‐ person pick‐ up.

“Any website or ticket broker claiming that they have inaugural tickets is simply not telling the truth,” said Howard Gantman, Staff Director for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. “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.”

Thanks again for expressing interest in this historic event!

Sincerely,
Mike