Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett are set to testify before Congress next Tuesday, marking the first time the Supreme Court’s justices have appeared on Capitol Hill for a budget hearing since 2019.
The two justices will appear before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government on July 14 to discuss the court’s budget request, according to The Washington Post. Kagan, a liberal, and Barrett, a conservative, represent ideological counterweights on the bench, though neither is known for the sharpest rhetoric in recent court disputes.
The Supreme Court has requested a $20.6 million budget increase for fiscal 2027, with the largest portion—$14.6 million—dedicated to enhanced security for the justices at their workplaces and an additional $2 million for security at their homes. This emphasis on judicial security reflects heightened concerns in a polarized political environment marked by increased threats and attacks against judges, according to The Washington Post.
The last time Supreme Court justices testified before Congress on budget matters was March 7, 2019, when Justices Samuel Alito and Elena Kagan appeared before the House Appropriations Committee. That hearing focused on the court’s fiscal 2020 budget request, which included a substantial security funding component, according to SCOTUSblog and C-SPAN records.
While the hearing is formally focused on budget appropriations, House members have broad latitude to venture beyond fiscal matters. In 2019, lawmakers asked Kagan and Alito about a potential court ethics code and whether the Supreme Court’s proceedings should be televised, according to The Washington Post. This year, members could raise questions about the court’s recent decisions, including a significant ruling that expanded presidential power over federal agencies, though it remains unclear whether the justices will face such inquiries.
The timing of the testimony comes weeks after the court concluded a contentious and consequential term, according to The Washington Post. The appearance underscores the rare nature of such congressional engagement with the judiciary’s leadership, as justices typically avoid direct interaction with the legislative branch.
Sources
- The Washington Post — confirmed the July 14 hearing date, the budget increase amounts ($20.6 million total, with $14.6 million for security and $2 million for home security), Kagan’s liberal and Barrett’s conservative ideological positions, the rarity of such testimony since 2019, and context on security concerns in a polarized environment
- Politico — confirmed the July 14 appearance before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
- The Hill — confirmed the justices’ appearance on the Supreme Court budget and the $20.6 million budget increase
- CNBC — confirmed this is the first such testimony since 2019
- C-SPAN — documented the March 7, 2019 Supreme Court budget hearing with Justices Alito and Kagan
- SCOTUSblog — reported on the 2019 hearing and security funding requests
