Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett said Tuesday before the House Appropriations Committee that they are requesting increased security funding [1].

The appearance marks a rare moment of budgetary advocacy by the judiciary, highlighting a perceived escalation in threats against the nation's highest court. As the judiciary seeks more resources to protect its members and staff, the request underscores the growing tension between the court and the public.

The justices appeared before the committee at 10 a.m. ET on July 14, 2026 [2], at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. [3]. Their testimony focused on the necessity of a larger security budget to mitigate risks posed by a rise in threats against the judiciary [4].

Reports on the specific funding request vary. One source cited a request of roughly $230 million [1], while another reported a fiscal 2027 budget figure of $225 million [5]. The justices said these figures are linked directly to the safety of the court's operations.

While most reports identify the House Appropriations Committee as the venue for the hearing [1], [3], [4], one source attributed the testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee [5]. The primary objective of the hearing remained the procurement of federal funds to bolster security measures around the justices and the court building.

The request comes amid a climate of increased scrutiny and volatility surrounding judicial decisions. The justices said the budget is a necessary response to the evolving threat landscape facing the federal courts [4].

“Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett testified Tuesday before the House Appropriations Committee to request increased security funding.”

The request for approximately $230 million in security funding reflects a shift in the Supreme Court's operational priorities toward physical safety and risk management. By sending sitting justices to testify before a congressional committee, the Court is signaling that the threat level has reached a threshold that cannot be managed through standard administrative channels, potentially indicating a permanent increase in the security apparatus surrounding the judiciary.