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Justices Kagan, Barrett Testify, Seek $228 M Judicial Security Boost

7/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett testified before panels, the first sitting justices to appear before Congress since 2019.
They requested a FY2027 budget of $228 million, a 10 % rise that adds $14.6 million for six security agents per justice.
U.S. Marshals Service data show a 57 % rise in incidents for judges in FY2025.
Bipartisan lawmakers said judges should work without fear for themselves or their families.

History

Historical Context

The 2002 Judicial Security Act, signed by President George W. Bush, expanded federal protection for judges after the 2001 anthrax mail attacks that heightened post-9/11 security concerns, echoing contemporaneous measures such as the Patriot Act and the Federal Information Security Management Act. Congress funded the program with $10 million and added 150 U.S. Marshals, boosting protection capacity by roughly 30 %.

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Story summary

Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett testified before panels, the first sitting justices to appear before Congress since 2019.
They requested a FY2027 budget of $228 million, a 10 % rise that adds $14.6 million for six security agents per justice.
U.S. Marshals Service data show a 57 % rise in incidents for judges in FY2025.
Bipartisan lawmakers said judges should work without fear for themselves or their families.

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