Supreme Court justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan will testify before Congress as the judiciary seeks a $921 million boost for courthouse security and a $9.7 billion discretionary funding request, a 4.5% increase over last year. The hearings come after a year of heightened physical and cyber threats, includingард incidents such as a swatting attempt at Barrett’s home and a bomb threat aimed at her sister in South Carolina. Barrett’s experience—being sent home with a bulletproof vest—underscores the urgency of the request.

Lawmakers will also probe the court’s internal handling of prediction markets, leak‑control procedures, and ethics after a series of high‑profile scandals involving luxury travel by some justices. Barrett’s recent votes, notably on birthright citizenship and theდე 2023 tariff case, may draw scrutiny, though some conservatives argue such legal questions should not dominate appropriations hearings.

The Supreme Court, which has rarely appeared on Capitol Hill, relies on Congress for most of its budget. With the judiciary’s request for enhanced protection, officials hope to secure the funding necessary to safeguard the justices and their families amid ongoing security challenges.