Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan are set to appear before Congress on Tuesday. They will request additional security funding due to increasing threats against federal judges and their families.
Budget Increase Details
The justices, representing different wings of the court, will testify about the Supreme Court’s $228 million budget request for the upcoming year. This represents an increase of about $20 million from the previous year. The appearance marks the first time Supreme Court justices testify before Congress since 2019.
Barrett, in particular, may face questions related to her recent rulings following a term where the court blocked President Trump’s plans to end birthright citizenship and impose global tariffs. Newsweek has contacted the Supreme Court’s Public Information Office for a comment.
Funding Breakdown
The judiciary seeks $920.9 million for security in fiscal year 2027, a rise of $28.9 million from fiscal year 2026. This funding aims to enhance security at federal courthouses.
The Supreme Court requests a total of $228 million for the next fiscal year. Included is a $14.6 million increase for expanding the Supreme Court Police’s protective activities, ensuring the safety of justices at home and during travel.
Budget documents indicate funding for an additional six agents per justice, one administrative position, 25 officers for Supreme Court Building security, and four police administration roles.
Additionally, $6.5 million is requested for a new facility to screen visitors, similar to the Capitol visitor center. Another request is for $2.3 million to hire cybersecurity engineers and developers, and $2 million for an additional command post. This command center would improve hiring, emergency response time, and the overall efficiency of the security program.
Overall Judiciary Funding
Beyond security, the judiciary requests $9.7 billion, a 4.5% increase from the previous year’s $9.2 billion budget.
Lawmakers need to decide on these requests by September 30, before the fiscal year 2027 spending bill is due.
Rationale for Increased Funding
The funding request follows a rise in threats against justices and federal judges. Protests and an assassination attempt on Justice Brett Kavanaugh underscored the need for around-the-clock security at justices’ residences.
Threats persist, with Barrett facing a “swatting” incident at her home, and a false bomb threat made against her sister. The U.S. Marshals Service noted 564 threats within a fiscal year, an increase from the previous year, affecting federal judges nationwide, including Supreme Court justices.
For in-depth details, contact Newsweek editors Ben Kelly and Cristina Diciu.
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