In Washington, inauguration preparations are well under way

The nation is focused on the Connecticut school massacre, but in Washington, preparations for the 2013 inauguration are well underway.

The preparations were kicked off on Sept. 20, six weeks before voters picked the man who would be sworn in to serve as president for the next four years. Last week, Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, updated the press on progress of the preparations. The preparation are on time and on budget, said Sen. Schumer. He said that the cost covered by the federal budget will be $1.2 million.