Schumer: eBay, Craigslist Agree To Remove Listings For Inauguration Tickets
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Sen. Chuck Schumer, who serves on a congressional committee in charge of President Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony, said eBay and Craigslist have agreed to stop scalpers from selling inauguration tickets.
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.
"This year's presidential inaugural ceremonies are not for sale,'' Schumer said in a statement. "eBay and Craigslist are doing the right thing in stopping the sale of scalped tickets to one of our nation's most sacred events."
Schumer serves on the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
"I hope that everyone who has an Inaugural ticket will think twice before posting these tickets on any ticket resale site," Schumer said. "This is a chance for people from all 50 states to celebrate our democracy, not for ticket scalpers to make a quick buck.''
Last month, Schumer said nearly 100 New York City-area residents won general admission tickets to the president's inauguration.
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.
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
