Justices Kagan, Barrett to ask Congress for more security funding. Here's why.
WASHINGTON – Two Supreme Court justices will make rare appearances before Congress on July 14 to bolster the court's request for more money to address security concerns.
Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett will testify before the House and Senate committees that are writing the annual spending bills to fund the government after September.
The last time justices made a similar appearance was in 2019.
Since then, increased security threats have prompted the court to ask Congress for additional funds.
But lawmakers may take advantage of the opportunity to also ask the justices questions that go beyond the budget request.
Many Democratic lawmakers have been critical of the court, pushing for changes that include term limits and adding an enforcement mechanism to the ethics code the court adopted in 2023.
And some Republicans have faulted Barrett for sometimes ruling against President Donald Trump's priorities as she did when rejecting his sweeping tariffs and changes to birthright citizenship during the term that just ended.
If the questions stick to budget concerns and security issues, Barrett may be asked about a recent incident.
In May, police received a false report about gunshots at Barrett's suburban Virginia home, a "swatting" attempt that was the latest example of the increased harassment and threats the justices have faced in recent years.
One of Barrett's sisters was the target last year of a false bomb threat.
At times, threats have been serious enough that Barrett has worn a bulletproof vest.
In the budget request, the court asked for more money to increase the number of officers protecting the justices and their families, including at their homes.
The justices began receiving around-the-clock security at their residences after Justice Brett Kavanaugh was the target of an assassination attempt in 2022.
The court also wants to build a facility near the Supreme Court to screen visitors before they enter the building.
And the court is requesting additional funding to beef up cyber security.
The more than $228 million total funding request for salaries, expenses, buildings and grounds is nearly a 10% increase over this year's budget.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Justices Kagan, Barrett to ask Congress for more security funding. Here's why.
Reporting by Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 12:04 PM.