Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan are testifying before House and Senate appropriations subcommittees on July 14, 2026, marking the first time since 2019 that Supreme Court justices have appeared before Congress.
Why The Justices Are Testifying
Barrett and Kagan are appearing to discuss the Supreme Court’s budget request for fiscal year 2027. The court is asking for $225.1 million in total funding, an increase of about 10 percent over the amount enacted for fiscal 2026. Of that total, $207 million would cover salaries and expenses, while $18.1 million would go toward maintaining the Supreme Court building and grounds, according to Roll Call. Roll Call
The Security Funding Request
A major part of the hearings centers on security. The judiciary has requested nearly $921 million for security, which is $29 million more than last year, to fund protection at federal courthouses, according to LocalNews8. This request follows a sharp rise in threats against judges. Security incidents involving judges that the U.S. Marshals Service classified as of “significant concern” jumped 57 percent in 2025, a figure both justices are expected to highlight during their testimony, according to CNN. Justices Barrett and Kagan to face lawmakers after divisive Supreme Court term – LocalNews8.com – KIFI +2
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Barrett’s Personal Security Incidents
Justice Barrett has faced several publicized security threats. She has been at the center of multiple security incidents since being named to the Supreme Court nearly six years ago, including a swatting attempt at her home in May 2026 that was stopped after police identified her as the target, according to CNN. A year earlier, the home of Barrett’s sister in South Carolina was targeted by a bomb threat. Barrett also spoke at a 2024 conference about being sent home from the Supreme Court with a bulletproof vest, though the court has not explained why the protective gear was issued, based on reporting from CNN. Justices Barrett and Kagan to face lawmakers after divisive Supreme Court term +2
Who Is Testifying And When
Barrett and Kagan are scheduled to appear on July 14 before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, which oversees the annual spending bill that funds the Supreme Court. They are also giving testimony the same day to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, according to SCOTUSblog. The hearing was originally expected in May, but scheduling conflicts pushed it back, based on details reported by Roll Call. Kagan and Barrett to testify before Congress | SCOTUSblog +2
Broader Questions Lawmakers May Raise
While the justices intend to focus on security funding, lawmakers are expected to raise other topics as well. Congressional aides told CNN that lawmakers plan to ask how the judiciary is handling internal matters related to prediction markets, the court’s process for addressing leaks, and lingering questions about ethics procedures following scandals involving justices’ luxury travel. CNN
Tension Over Recent Rulings
Some of the scrutiny facing Barrett relates to her voting record in high-profile cases this year. Tension between Barrett and parts of the conservative legal movement has been building for more than a year, and this tension grew after Barrett joined Chief Justice John Roberts and the court’s liberal justices in ruling against the president’s attempt to end automatic birthright citizenship through executive action. Conservative legal commentator Mike Davis has criticized Barrett’s vote in that case, though he told CNN he does not believe congressional appropriations hearings are the appropriate venue for lawmakers to question justices about their legal rulings. CNNCNN
Historical Context For These Hearings
Appearances by sitting justices before Congress are rare. The nine members of the Supreme Court rarely appear on Capitol Hill, and a justice last testified before Congress in 2019. That year, Kagan and Justice Samuel Alito appeared before the House Financial Services Subcommittee, marking the most recent time justices had appeared before House members prior to this year’s hearing, according to Roll Call. Justices Barrett and Kagan to face lawmakers after divisive Supreme Court term | CNN Politics +2
Full details on the hearing schedule and testimony are available through CNN and SCOTUSblog.
FAQ: Justices Barrett and Kagan Hearings
Q: Why are Justices Barrett and Kagan testifying before Congress?
They appeared before House and Senate appropriations subcommittees on July 14 to discuss the Supreme Court’s budget request for fiscal year 2027. The Court asked for roughly $225.1 million, about a 10% increase over the previous year’s funding, largely driven by rising security costs.
Q: When was the last time Supreme Court justices testified before Congress?
This marks the first time since 2019 that sitting justices have appeared before lawmakers, making it a rare and notable event on Capitol Hill.
Q: Why is increased security funding such a major part of this hearing?
The Marshals Service reported a 57% jump in security incidents involving judges classified as “significant concern” in 2025. Both Barrett and Kagan are expected to highlight this trend to justify the funding request.
Q: Has Justice Barrett personally faced security threats?
Yes. Barrett has been the target of several publicized incidents, including a swatting attempt at her home in May that was intercepted after police identified her as the intended target.
Q: What does “divisive Supreme Court term” refer to in this context?
It refers to a term marked by contentious rulings and public friction, including cases touching on issues like birthright citizenship and tariffs, which have drawn sharp political reactions and increased scrutiny of the Court.
Q: Will lawmakers only ask about the budget, or will other topics come up?
While the hearing is officially about funding, congressional aides indicate lawmakers are preparing questions that go beyond budget talking points, potentially touching on the Court’s recent controversial decisions.
Q: Do Barrett and Kagan represent different ideological wings of the Court?
Yes. Barrett is generally seen as part of the Court’s conservative wing, while Kagan is part of its liberal wing, giving the hearing a notably bipartisan character despite being framed around a shared funding request.
Q: Which congressional committees are holding these hearings?
The justices are appearing before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, as well as its Senate counterpart, both of which oversee funding for the judiciary.
