Updated
Updated · Bloomberg Government · Jul 7
Barrett, Kagan to Defend Supreme Court's $200 Million Budget Request as Security Costs Rise 7%
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg Government · Jul 7

Barrett, Kagan to Defend Supreme Court's $200 Million Budget Request as Security Costs Rise 7%

3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg Government · Jul 7

Summary

  • July 14 will bring the Supreme Court’s first public budget testimony since 2019, with Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan appearing before House and Senate appropriations panels.
  • More than $200 million is being sought for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, about 7% above the current level, with the court asking for added security and cybersecurity funding.
  • The request includes money to expand the Supreme Court Police to protect justices and their homes, plus funding for a dozen cybersecurity positions as threats across the judiciary keep rising.
  • Most of the court’s budget still goes to salaries, expenses and upkeep of the historic building and grounds, while watchdog group Fix the Court said the justices should justify the growing request annually in public.

Insights

As justices return to testify before Congress, can this rare public appearance help restore public confidence in the Court?
What will this first testimony in years reveal about the Court's security needs and its relationship with Congress?
With a 29% budget hike for security, what new threats justify this major spending increase for the Supreme Court?