Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett testified before the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday regarding the court's $207 million budget request. The hearing marked the first time in seven years that justices appeared before lawmakers to discuss funding. The testimony focused heavily on increasing security costs driven by a rise in threats against the judiciary.
Justice Barrett shared personal accounts of the impact of these threats, including an incident six weeks ago where her home was "swatted." She also described having to explain to her son why she was issued a bulletproof vest. Justice Kagan noted that while public criticism of the court is expected, efforts at intimidation crossed a line. Both justices highlighted that the court's police force has expanded to provide 24-hour protection at their homes.
The committee also addressed judicial ethics and gift disclosures. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) questioned why the court lacks the $50 gift limit applicable to the legislative and executive branches. Justice Kagan expressed support for an ethics enforcement mechanism but noted the difficulty in creating one that does not compromise judicial independence. She suggested a panel of retired judges as a possibility, while Justice Barrett noted that the complexity of selecting such a panel remains a significant challenge.