Budget Hearing – The Supreme Court of the United States

The House Appropriations Committee held a budget hearing on July 15, 2026, to review the Supreme Court of the United States' fiscal year 2027 budget request. Justices Kagan and Coney Barrett testified regarding the Court's request for $225 million, representing a 53.5% increase over the previous year, primarily to address heightened security needs amid a significant rise in threats against federal judges. The hearing focused extensively on funding for enhanced physical security, residential protection, cybersecurity measures, and staffing for the Supreme Court Police, including efforts to reduce reliance on the U.S. Marshals Service. Committee members discussed the challenges of recruiting and retaining security personnel, the Court's transparency and ethics policies, and the impact of increased security demands on Court operations. The justices also addressed questions about the Court's caseload, use of emergency or "shadow" docket decisions, and the need for an enforceable code of ethics. While no specific contract awards or procurement vehicles were detailed, the hearing underscored the Court's capital and operational funding needs, particularly for security enhancements and IT infrastructure upgrades.