Justices Kagan & Barrett Testify on Supreme Court Budget

This was a budget hearing held by the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government on July 14, 2026, featuring testimony from Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett regarding the Supreme Court's fiscal year 2027 budget request. The Court requested $225 million, a 53.5% increase over the prior year, primarily to address heightened security needs amid a significant rise in threats against federal judges, including justices. The hearing focused extensively on security funding for personnel, residential protection, cybersecurity enhancements, and physical security upgrades. Justices detailed coordination with the Supreme Court Police, U.S. Marshals Service, and Capitol Police, and discussed challenges in recruiting security staff. The Court also addressed transparency, ethics enforcement, and operational issues such as caseload and technology modernization. Members of Congress expressed bipartisan support for increased security funding while emphasizing the need for accountability and prudent stewardship of taxpayer funds. The hearing included discussions on the Court's use of emergency "shadow docket" decisions and the importance of maintaining judicial independence alongside transparency and public trust.