Bill on Inaugural Ticket Scalping Dies in Senate

Despite senator Dianne Feinstein's best efforts, the bill that would make it a misdemeanor to scalp tickets for the swearing-in ceremony has not passed the Senate.

Feinstein introduced the bill in mid-November after working out agreements with online ticket sellers to block the sales of tickets to the ceremony. The 240,000 tickets to the swearing-in have not yet been distributed to the public; they'll be released a few days before the inauguration.

The National Journal reports today that Feinstein's bill was a victim of time constraints: Howard Gantman, staff director of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, told the publication, "We ran out of time to get it approved by both the House and Senate." He added that Feinstein plans to reintroduce the bill and seek speedy passage once Congress is back in session.

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Emily Leaman