Huffman: No inaugural tickets from me
Congressman says he will try to help coordinate tickets for virtual events, not in-person due to COVID-19
North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman ( D- San Rafael) announced on Twitter that he will not be handing out tickets to President- elect Joe Biden’s January inauguration, something he called a “difficult but necessary decision in light of the raging pandemic.”
“Even if some folks would choose to ignore health advisories against non- essential travel and large gatherings, I can’t in good conscience facilitate it,” Huffman posted on Twitter. “That goes for my own family as well — they won’t be joining me in DC for trips/events until it is safe.”
Typically members of Congress are given a limited number of tickets to a presidential inauguration.
But with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, normal activities will be different.
Huffman said he will continue to collect requests for the inaug uration a nd “will do e ver ything possible to facilitate participation by interested constituents in those virtual events,” he said in a news release.
“The inauguration of President-elect Biden and Vice-president Harris is a turning point for our country — the first page in a new chapter of unity, integrity, and progress,” Huffman said in a prepared statement. “I know that President- elect Biden’s team is working hard to figure out how to hold transition events safely, but with coronavirus cases surging across the country, including in California, and with the associated risks of travel, I firmly believe it would be unsafe and irresponsible for me to facilitate non- essential travel to the nation’s capital for public gatherings.”
But as of 10:30 a.m., a page on Huffman’s House. gov website indicated he was offering tickets to the inauguration. “Please note that due to the high volume of demand and limited supply, we cannot guarantee tickets,” the page stated. “If we’re able to secure tickets for your party, my office will be in touch with you to arrange a pick-up time and location. You will be required to show identification in order to receive your tickets.”
The page noted that the “tickets allow access to specific sections of the Capitol Grounds.”
Around 20 minutes after this article was published online, a spokesperson for Huffman reached out to tell the Times-standard that the page was updated to reflect the announcement.