Supreme Court Associate Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett testified Tuesday before the House Appropriations Committee to outline the court's fiscal year 2027 budget request.

The testimony marks a rare appearance by sitting justices before Congress to defend the financial requirements of the judiciary. This request comes amid a climate of increasing threats against the court, making the allocation of security resources a primary focus of the hearing.

During the proceedings at the U.S. Capitol, the justices presented a total discretionary budget request of $9.7 billion [1] for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. This figure covers the operational needs of the federal judiciary for the upcoming fiscal year.

In addition to operational costs, the request includes $826.5 million [1] in mandatory appropriations. These funds are specifically designated for judicial salaries, and retirement funds to ensure the continued stability of the court's personnel system.

A significant portion of the testimony focused on the safety of the justices and court staff. The court is seeking $14.6 million [1] in additional funding for Supreme Court Police protective activities. This increase is intended to address rising security threats directed at the judiciary, a trend that has prompted requests for enhanced protective measures.

Reports on the timing of the testimony varied. AP News said that the justices testified at 10 a.m. ET, while other reports indicated the schedule included both a 10 a.m. and a 2 p.m. slot for the day.

“The court is seeking $14.6 million in additional funding for Supreme Court Police protective activities.”

The request for increased security funding reflects a growing tension between the judiciary and the public, as the court seeks to insulate its members from physical threats. By sending two justices from different ideological backgrounds to testify, the court is attempting to present a unified front to Congress to ensure that essential security and operational funding are not politicized during the appropriations process.