Two Supreme Court justices will head to Capitol Hill next week to make the case for the judiciary's annual spending plan, as the high court seeks nearly $10 billion in discretionary funds for fiscal year 2027.
House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) announced Tuesday that Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett will testify before his panel on July 14. The pair is also scheduled to appear before the Senate Appropriations Committee's corresponding subcommittee that same afternoon.
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts is requesting $9.7 billion in discretionary appropriations for the coming fiscal year, along with $826.5 million in mandatory funding to cover judicial salaries and retirement benefits. The proposal marks a modest increase over current spending levels, driven largely by security concerns.
A key component of the request is a $14.6 million bump for the Supreme Court Police, designated for what the court describes as “protective activities” aimed at safeguarding justices' homes and families. This comes amid heightened attention to judicial security following a series of high-profile threats.
The broader judiciary budget also asks Congress for $920.9 million to station frontline security officers at every federal courthouse nationwide. The Administrative Office cited a nationwide surge in threats against federal judges as the rationale for the expenditure.
The hearings arrive at a politically charged moment for the Supreme Court. Critics have accused the conservative majority of bolstering executive power and eroding democratic norms, while defenders argue the court is simply interpreting the law. The budget testimony will likely touch on operational needs, but lawmakers may press the justices on broader institutional questions.
The appearance of Kagan, a liberal appointee, and Barrett, a conservative appointee, underscores the court's effort to present a unified front on administrative matters. Both justices are known for their willingness to engage with Congress on non-controversial issues like security and infrastructure.
The judiciary's budget request also comes as the court faces scrutiny over its ethical practices and the implications of recent rulings on property rights and other areas. Lawmakers on both sides may use the hearings to air grievances about specific decisions or to probe the court's transparency.
While the budget hearings are typically routine, the heightened security requests and the broader political climate are expected to make these sessions more pointed. The justices' testimony will be closely watched for any signals about the court's priorities or internal dynamics.
