Justices Kagan & Barrett Testify on Supreme Court Budget

This was a congressional hearing held on July 14, 2026, before the Senate Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, featuring testimony from Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett regarding the Supreme Court's fiscal year 2027 budget request. The justices detailed a request for approximately $2.007 billion in discretionary funding, representing a 7.2% increase over the previous year, primarily driven by escalating security threats including physical violence and cyberattacks. They discussed the transition of residential security responsibilities from the U.S. Marshals Service to the Supreme Court Police, the need for additional personnel and cybersecurity experts, and plans for enhanced visitor screening facilities. The hearing also addressed concerns about transparency in budget requests, the lack of an enforceable code of ethics for justices, and the impact of political rhetoric on the safety and independence of the judiciary. Senators emphasized the importance of adequate funding, transparency, and maintaining judicial independence while ensuring robust security measures for the Court and its members.