President Jimmy Carter lies in state at Capitol Rotunda
Public pays tribute to former President Jimmy Carter at US Capitol
The United States Capitol is now the focal point for former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral. The public will be allowed to pay their respects in person Tuesday night. FOX 5’s Tom Fitzgerald is on the Hill tonight after speaking with some of the people who’ve gone down to the Capitol to be part of this.
WASHINGTON - The remains of late President Jimmy Carter arrived in Washington, D.C. Tuesday.
The former president will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda from 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, through 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Members of the public are invited to pay their respects during public viewing hours.
Carter passed away at his Georgia home on Sunday, Dec. 29. He died at the age of 100 after spending almost two years in at-home hospice care. He was the longest-lived president in U.S. history.
The former president has been lying in repose at the Carter Center in Atlanta since Saturday. It was the first event in a six-day series leading up to his national funeral service on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2024, at the Washington National Cathedral.
U.S. Capitol Police released the schedule of events Monday. Here's what to expect over the next two days in D.C.
Jimmy Carter to lie in state
Tuesday
At 4:30 p.m., there will be a private arrival ceremony with President Carter’s family, members of Congress and other dignitaries.
At 6:00 p.m., the line to the Capitol Visitor Center will open to the public at Second Street and East Capitol Street.
At 7:00 p.m., the U.S. Capitol Rotunda will open to the public and visitors can attend until midnight.
Visitors who wish to pay their respects to the late President should be prepared for cold weather conditions because the visitor line will extend outside the Capitol Visitor Center.
As road conditions are still expected to be hazardous, visitors can check the latest weather information here.
Wednesday
At 7:00 a.m., on Wednesday, January 8, the U.S. Capitol Rotunda will open for public viewing and will remain open throughout the night.
Thursday
At 7:00 a.m., on Thursday, January 9, the U.S. Capitol Rotunda will close to the public for public viewing. At 9:00 a.m., there will be a departure ceremony on the East Plaza, which will be restricted to authorized personnel and closed to the public.
What does it mean to ‘lie in state’?
This ceremony is an opportunity for the nation to pay final tribute to its most eminent citizens by having their remains lie in state.
There are no laws, written rules or regulations that specify who may lie in state but use of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda is controlled by the House and Senate.
Any person who has rendered distinguished service to the nation may lie in state if the family so wishes and Congress approves, according to the Architect of the Capitol.
In addition to the Rotunda, other areas such as National Statuary Hall, the Old Supreme Court Chamber, the entrance to the House Chamber and the East Central Front Portico have been used for those who have lain in state or in honor.
The Capitol has a more expansive policy for lying in state. Congressman Henry Clay, in 1852, was the first to lie in the Capitol Rotunda. FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover lay in the Capitol in 1972. Police officers killed in 1998 while protecting the Capitol also lay in state there. Sen. John McCain lay in state after his death earlier this year.