Summary (tl;dr)

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan are making a rare joint appearance before Congress today to request a significant increase in the Court's budget, primarily for enhanced security amidst a rise in threats against federal judges.

Essential Background

Confirmation hearings are typically one-time events for Supreme Court nominees to undergo questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee before a Senate vote. Amy Coney Barrett was nominated by President Donald Trump in September 2020, with her confirmation hearings taking place from October 12-15, 2020. Elena Kagan was nominated by President Barack Obama in May 2010, and her confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee began on June 28, 2010. It is highly unusual for sitting Supreme Court justices to testify before Congress, as such an event last occurred in 2019.

The Full Story

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan are scheduled to testify before House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees in a rare joint appearance. Their primary purpose is to advocate for the Supreme Court's budget request for fiscal year 2027, which includes a notable $14.6 million increase specifically for enhanced security for the justices at their workplaces and homes. This request comes in response to a significant 57% rise in "significant concern" security incidents involving judges in 2025. Justice Barrett has personally experienced several threats, including a "swatting" incident at her home in May and a bomb threat targeting her sister's residence last year. By appearing together, representing both conservative and liberal wings of the Court, the justices aim to convey a unified institutional concern for judicial security. While the official agenda is the budget, lawmakers may use this opportunity to question the justices on recent contentious rulings that have sparked public debate.

Why It Matters

This unprecedented testimony underscores escalating concerns about judicial security in an increasingly polarized political environment where threats against federal judges have intensified. The bid for increased security funding highlights the challenges the judiciary faces in safeguarding its members and operations while striving to maintain independence amid intense public scrutiny and political discourse. The joint appearance by justices from differing ideological backgrounds offers a unique insight into the Supreme Court's operations and its relationship with the legislative branch, simultaneously providing a platform for them to defend the judiciary's independence and its role in interpreting the law.

Geographic Location

• United States Capitol Complex, Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (location of House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees hearings)
• Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (workplace of the justices and central to the budget request)