Thank you for your interest in the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. Below please find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. If you need more information than what is provided below, please contact my Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-1947.

How do I get a ticket to the Inauguration?
Tickets for the inauguration can only be acquired through your Member of Congress. Unfortunately, due to the unusually high number of requests my office received and the fact that demand far outstrips the number of tickets that will be issued, we are no longer accepting requests for tickets. If you made a request before November 15, your name will be entered in a ticket distribution lottery and my office will be in touch with you soon.

Will I receive a ticket if I made a request?
Submitting a request in no way guarantees a ticket, but if your request was made before November 15, your name will be entered in a ticket distribution lottery.

What does receiving an Inauguration Ticket mean?
An Inauguration Ticket will grant you access to an area from which you can view the swearing in of the President-elect. The ticket is non-transferable and does not provide access to other Inaugural-related events.

How many tickets will I receive if I am selected from the lottery?
Tickets will be limited to two per person, and no exceptions will be made.

How much will I have to pay for each ticket?
The tickets will be provided to the recipients free of charge. Please be aware that no website or other ticket outlet actually has Inaugural swearing-in tickets to sell, regardless of what they may claim. It is illegal to sell these tickets.

How do I pick up tickets?
You must pick up the tickets in person from my office in Washington, D.C., using a government issued photo ID. The tickets will not be mailed to you. You may pick up your tickets during the following dates and times from my office, 312 Cannon House Office Building:
January 16, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
January 19, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Any tickets not picked up by January 19, 2009 at 1 p.m. will be forfeited.

Where does the Inauguration take place, and where exactly will my tickets permit me to go?
The Inauguration will be held on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, and all of the tickets will be in a standing section and will be outdoors. Keep in mind that January in Washington, D.C., is typically cold and wet and you will be outside for several hours.

How soon can I get to the West Front of the Capitol for the Inauguration on January 20th?
On January 20, gates will open promptly at 9 a.m. There will be a musical prelude that is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., but because of the large crowds that are expected and the large security presence you should plan to arrive early. The Inauguration ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m.

What if I get Inaugural tickets but am unable to go?
If for some reason you believe you may be unable to attend the Inauguration, please inform a staffer in my office immediately. The earlier we receive notification that Inauguration tickets are no longer being requested, the quicker we can reassign the tickets to another constituent.

Are there other ways to watch the inauguration in person, and how do I attend other events, such as the parade, balls, or other special Inaugural events?
The Presidential Inaugural Committee is in charge of all additional events surrounding the Inaugural. When more information becomes available, it will be provided here.

Please note that typically, a large section of the National Mall, beyond the ticketed section, is open to the public for viewing the Inauguration. It is expected that millions of people will visit Washington, D.C., to watch the Inauguration and space in the public viewing area will be open on a first come, first served, basis. There is a chance that due to the level of interest this year an even larger section of the Mall will be open and jumbotrons will be set up to enhance viewing. If you have questions about public areas for viewing the Inauguration, please contact my Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-1947.

What if I have scheduled other tours during my visit to Washington? Will I still be able to go on these tours?
All publicly accessible museums on the National Mall will retain normal operating schedules. However, tours of the U.S. Capitol will be suspended beginning on Saturday, January 17, 2009, at 5 p.m. until the morning of Wednesday, January 20, 2009. If this conflicts with a Capitol Tour you have scheduled with my office, please call my Washington office at (202) 225-1947 to reschedule.

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2008, 11th Congressional District of California