Supreme Court Justices Testify on Budget, Security Concerns

WASHINGTON – Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett testified before House and Senate subcommittees today to present the Court's fiscal year 2027 budget request. The Court seeks $228 million, an increase of approximately $20 million from current funding levels.

A significant portion of the proposed increase, $14.6 million, would expand the Court's in-house police force and cover security when justices travel outside Washington. An additional $2 million is requested for residential security. The Court also aims to establish a new facility for screening visitors on Capitol Hill. These requests come as security threats against justices have increased.

The current budget proposal includes funding for 12 new cybersecurity positions and an off-site residential security office. House appropriators have already advanced legislation that would allocate $207 million to the Court.

This appearance marks the first time since 2019 that sitting Supreme Court justices have testified before Congress regarding their annual budget. Observers note that the inclusion of Justices Kagan, appointed by President Barack Obama, and Barrett, appointed by President Donald Trump, may reflect an effort by the Court to present a unified front on financial matters.

Historically, justices have frequently testified before Congress. The Congressional Research Service documented 93 committee or subcommittee hearings between 1960 and 2022 that included at least one sitting justice, totaling 175 appearances. From 1960 through 2011, a justice appeared before Congress every year. Most of these appearances, 92%, occurred before House or Senate Appropriations Committees.

Justice Byron White holds the record for the most appearances with 24, followed by Justice Anthony Kennedy with 23 and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor with 21. Among current justices, Justice Clarence Thomas has testified 13 times, most recently in 2010.

In 2023, Chief Justice John Roberts declined a request to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on ethics matters, citing separation of powers concerns and the importance of judicial independence. However, some legal analysts contend that more frequent congressional appearances by justices could foster inter-branch dialogue and accountability.

During past testimonies, questioning has extended beyond budget specifics. For example, in March 2019, Justices Kagan and Samuel Alito addressed ethics codes and the potential for televising court proceedings. In March 2001, Justice Anthony Kennedy faced questions regarding the *Bush v. Gore* decision during a House budget subcommittee hearing.