Online auctions cancelled for inauguration tickets

January 17, 2013 @ 7:32 am

WASHINGTON (AP) - A senator in charge of President Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony said eBay and Craigslist have agreed to stop scalpers from selling inauguration tickets.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had been asking companies to remove listings for tickets costing up to $2,000 each. It's not illegal to sell them, but inauguration tickets that people get from members of Congress are supposed to be free.

Schumer's office announced Thursday that eBay and Craigslist agreed to cancel the listings. The office said the StubHub website had already refused to sell Inaugural tickets.

Schumer serves on the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

"This year's presidential inaugural ceremonies are not for sale," Schumer said in a statement. "This is a chance for people from all 50 states to celebrate our democracy, not for ticket scalpers to make a quick buck."

Congressional offices and the Presidential Inaugural Committee distribute tickets to inaugural events. Although tickets for the swearing-in ceremony are free, some other inaugural events charge admission. The presidential committee sold out of $25 tickets to the inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue and $60 tickets to one of its two inaugural balls. Tickets to a second ball, for members of the armed services, were distributed for free.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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  • HLC wrote...
    They should let the welfare drones in for free.
    January 17, 2013 6:29 am
    That is the only people that voted for that fool. He was smart enough to con a lot of people with their hand out though. Just don't lick your hand ever again. By the way did you folks hear the announcement by Chrysler that they are going to build jeeps in china? Didn't someone say that in the debates and was called a liar? You fools bought another one.
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