Supreme Court Justices Barrett, Kagan to urge Congress for budget increase amid security concerns

Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett are set to testify Tuesday before House and Senate appropriations subcommittees today as they advocate for the court’s fiscal 2027 budget request of roughly $225.1 million.

The request represents roughly a 10% increase over the previous year’s enacted funding (with some analyses noting higher percentage jumps depending on baselines). It includes about $207 million for salaries and expenses and $18.1 million for building and grounds maintenance. 

Their scheduled appearance will mark the first time sitting justices have testified before congressional appropriators since 2019. The bipartisan pairing of Kagan (appointed by President Obama) and Barrett (appointed by President Trump) highlights the court’s effort to present a unified, nonpartisan front on administrative needs.

The justices are expected to emphasize rising threats against federal judges and the importance of enhanced security infrastructure. Broader judiciary funding requests similarly focus on personnel and courthouse protections amid ongoing concerns following recent high-profile rulings.

The testimony arrives as the Supreme Court continues to face public scrutiny over ethics, transparency, and its influential decisions. Lawmakers from both parties will review the request as part of larger appropriations negotiations, weighing fiscal priorities against the need to support the judiciary’s independence and operations.

A final decision on the budget will unfold in the coming months.