Justices Kagan and Barrett to Testify on Supreme Court Budget Before Congress
Justices Kagan and Barrett will testify before Congress on the Supreme Court's 2027 budget request on July 14, 2026.
Why it matters: Congress exercises oversight of the Supreme Court budget, impacting funding for security and operations. This testimony occurs alongside high-profile litigation involving former President Trump, highlighting legal accountability and judicial transparency issues relevant for in-house counsel and legal professionals.
- Kagan and Barrett will appear before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on July 14, 2026, the first Supreme Court testimonies since 2019.
- The Supreme Court has requested over $200 million for fiscal 2027, a 7% increase including expanded police and cybersecurity funding.
- On June 29, 2026, the Court declined to hear Trump's appeal of a $5 million jury verdict in a sexual abuse and defamation case involving E. Jean Carroll.
- Carroll seeks nearly $5.8 million including interest and separately, Trump is appealing an $83.3 million defamation judgment.
Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett are set to testify before the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee on July 14, 2026. This will be the first time since 2019 that Supreme Court justices have appeared before Congress to discuss the Court's budget and operations. House Democrats
The hearing will focus on the Supreme Court's fiscal 2027 budget request exceeding $200 million—a 7% rise over the prior year. Requested funds include expanding the Supreme Court Police to enhance protection for justices and their residences, plus adding a dozen cybersecurity personnel to strengthen digital defenses. Bloomberg Law
Concurrently, on June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court declined without comment to hear former President Donald Trump's appeal of a $5 million sexual abuse and defamation jury verdict involving writer E. Jean Carroll. Los Angeles Times
Carroll has pursued nearly $5.8 million including accrued interest on the original award. Separately, Trump is appealing an $83.3 million defamation judgment from a different trial. Daily Beast AP News
House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro emphasized that it has been nearly a decade since Supreme Court justices last testified before Congress about the Court's budget, despite annual funding approvals. DeLauro and budget advocates stress the need for accountability as the Court's budget and security needs expand. Washington Post
Roberta Kaplan, attorney for Carroll, said, "After four years of litigation, it is time for this case to conclude." The testimony coincides with ongoing legal proceedings involving Trump, highlighting challenges in judicial oversight and accountability in high-profile cases.
By the numbers:
- $200M+ — Supreme Court's fiscal 2027 budget request
- 7% — increase in Court's budget over fiscal 2026
- $5M — jury verdict against Trump in sexual abuse and defamation case
Yes, but: While the testimonies address budget and security, they do not cover the Court's judicial decisions or specific cases like Trump's appeals.
What's next: Testimony scheduled for July 14, 2026, before the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee.