Fresh off a tough re-election campaign, Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt has a big task on his to-do list: planning Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.
Blunt will play a major role in the preparations for Trump’s inauguration as chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. The committee is tasked with planning the swearing-in of the president elect and vice-president elect on Jan. 20 and celebratory luncheon afterward at the U.S. Capitol.
Blunt’s committee must arrange the arrival of the presidential motorcade at the Capitol, the departure of outgoing President Barack Obama and his family, and a troop review by the newly sworn-in president.
The committee also is in charge of security, media credentialing and giving out inauguration tickets to members of Congress to distribute to residents of their home districts or states.
“As the chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, I have the honor of planning and leading the 2017 presidential inauguration,” Blunt said in a statement. “The work on the inaugural platform began with the ceremonial driving of the first nail back in September, and last month I had the privilege of inviting the Missouri State University Chorale to perform during the event. I look forward to welcoming Missourians to the Capitol in January for a historic and uniquely American tradition.”
Other lawmakers serving on the committee include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
As chairman, Blunt will preside over the ceremonies on Capitol Hill. The job traditionally goes to the chair of the Senate Rules Committee, and Blunt, as the top Republican on that panel, would have been in charge regardless of whether Trump or Hillary Clinton won the election.
Missourians who want to travel to Washington to attend the inauguration ceremony at the Capitol must request tickets from the state’s members of congress.
The tickets are free, but Blunt’s office is limiting requests to four per person because of high demand. Requests must be made by Dec. 5 and members of the public must pick up the tickets in person before the ceremony.
For more information, visit Blunt’s website.
Lindsay Wise: 202-383-6007, @lindsaywise