Inaugural Information

**SPECIAL ADVISORY for parents and families, please click here.

SECURITY:  For the latest update on security information regarding the presidential inaugural ceremonies, please click here.

SCHEDULE: For a complete schedule of events on inaugural festivities, please click here.

Thank you for contacting me regarding the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2009.  The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies allocates each member of Congress less than 200 reserved tickets for the official swearing-in ceremony.  Because of the historic nature of this event, my office has received over 2,000 ticket requests for this ceremony.  Therefore, due to such high demand, my office will no longer be taking requests for these tickets.  

Please do not let the lack of a reserved ticket stop you from attending the inaugural ceremony or festivities.  The entire length of the National Mall west of Fourth Street will be open to the public so that more people than ever before will be able to witness the swearing-in of the President from a vantage point in sight of the Capitol.  Those who come to witness the swearing-in on the Mall will be able to watch and listen to the ceremony on large screens that will be provided along the Mall.

Please know that I will continue to work with the entire Arkansas Congressional Delegation and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies on how to best accommodate the high demand.  Further information about the inaugural ceremony may be obtained at http://inaugural.senate.gov.  

Please 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 days before the ceremony and they will require in person pick-up with proper identification.  Any website or ticket broker claiming they have inaugural tickets is simply not telling the truth.

In the event that you are also interested in attending the inaugural parade and/or any inaugural balls, please know that Congressional offices are not given tickets to distribute for these events. The Armed Forces Inaugural Committee coordinates the inaugural parade and additional information may be obtained at www.afic.northcom.mil/pic.html.  The official inaugural balls hosted in honor of the newly-elected President are organized by the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC).  Refer to the PIC website at www.pic2009.org as ticket and event-specific information is announced.

If you plan to attend the inaugural festivities, please keep in mind that an estimated four million people will converge in Washington for this historic event.  Expect very large crowds, long lines, heightened security, severe traffic congestion and the possibility of bitterly cold temperatures combined with rain or snow.  For up-to-date security information and tips on how best to prepare for the festivities, please click here.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call my office at 1.800.223.2220 or send me an e-mail.