Sen. Dianne Feinstein is on the attack against scalpers! Inauguration ticket scalpers, that is.

The California Democrat has started drafting legislation that would make it illegal to sell tickets to President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony and would impose a "very hefty penalty" on anyone found guilty of the misdemeanor.

The free tickets are in such high demand, some nefarious characters both on and off the Web have been taking advantage of eager citizens. Although they won’t be given out until days before the ceremony, tickets, which are distributed through lawmakers’ offices, are already being advertised on Web sites like eBay and Craigslist for as much as $40,000.

"This inauguration will be the major civic event of our time, and these tickets are supposed to be free for the people. Nobody should have to pay for their tickets," Feinstein said in a statement sent to The Hill. “To guard against scalpers, we are encouraging Congressional offices to establish a protocol for ticket distribution that requires people to show a photo ID in order to pick up their tickets."

CNN reports that legitimate ticket brokers - the same companies that peddle tickets to rock concerts and NASCAR races - are selling tickets to Obama’s swearing-in for thousands of dollars, even for standing-room areas on the National Mall - which anyone can walk into free of charge. Other events include a morning worship service, a procession to the Capitol, a swearing-in ceremony, an address, a parade and a seemingly endless string of celebratory balls.

"We think it’s absolutely insane to be selling those tickets. We understand some people want to make a buck, but for those people thinking of buying tickets, it’s buyer beware," warned Howard Gantman, staff director of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

The Senate meets next week for a lame-duck session, at which time Feinstein’s legislation could be introduced.

The Chicago Tribune reports that more than 1.5 million people are expected to pour into Washington for Obama’s swearing-in on Jan. 20 — nearly three times the number who attended the 2005 inauguration events, said William Hanbury, president of Destination DC, the city’s tourism department.

"It’s crazy," said Sharon Jenkins, spokeswoman for Rep. Bobby Rush, D-IL, told the Tribune, adding that Rush’s office received about 400 phone calls from residents about the Wall Street bailout package over a two-week period. But in the three days after Obama’s election, it logged more than 1,500 phone calls from people seeking tickets.

"I don’t care if I’m a block away or 10 miles away," said Chicago-area resident Keith Chambers. "I need to be in the presence of this moment."