Amy Coney Barrett testified before House and Senate committees on July 14, 2026, on the Supreme Court’s 2027 budget request, marking the first time in seven years that a sitting justice has appeared before Congress to defend the court’s funding needs.
Justice Elena Kagan joined Barrett before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government and later before the Senate Appropriations Committee. The last time Supreme Court justices testified to Congress was in 2019, when Kagan and Samuel Alito defended the court’s budget.
The Supreme Court is requesting $225.1 million for fiscal 2027, a roughly 10 percent increase over fiscal 2026 enacted funding. The broader judiciary’s FY 2027 budget request totals $9.7 billion, a 4.5 percent increase over the FY 2026 enacted appropriation of $9.2 billion, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
A significant portion of the court’s request focuses on security. The budget includes a $14.6 million boost for the Supreme Court Police for “protective activities” related to the justices’ homes and families. The broader judiciary request also seeks $920.9 million to fund deployment of front-line security officers at every federal courthouse across the country, citing the nationwide rise of threats against federal judges.
The Supreme Court’s emphasis on security spending reflects an escalating threat environment. The court has sought increased funding for physical and cyber security for several years as threats against the judiciary have risen. The justices’ rare appearance before Congress underscores the institution’s effort to communicate directly with lawmakers about the resources needed to protect the bench and courthouse operations.
Sources
- The Hill — Supreme Court justices’ testimony schedule and budget request details, including the $14.6 million security boost and $920.9 million for courthouse security officers
- Law360 — Confirmation that Barrett and Kagan’s 2026 testimony marked the first time in seven years justices testified before Congress
- CNBC — Last justices’ testimony was in 2019 when Kagan and Alito appeared
- Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts — FY 2027 judiciary budget request totaling $9.7 billion, a 4.5 percent increase over FY 2026
