Justices on the United States Supreme Court are asking Congress for increased security amidst a rise in threats of violence and intimidation.
Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett are scheduled to make a rare appearance before lawmakers Tuesday to testify on the justices’ need for elevated protection.
This marks the first time since 2019 that Supreme Court justices have spoken to members of Congress.
Justice Barrett has recounted needing to wear a bulletproof vest in her own home, which she said was difficult to explain to her then-12-year-old son.
“I didn’t expect that performing this service would put me in the position of explaining to my children what a bulletproof vest was, why I had to wear one,” she said.
An attempted assassin was arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home in 2022 shortly after a draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked to the public. The would-be assassin was found with weapons and zip ties in his possession.
The Court is asking Congress for a total of $228 million for the next fiscal year, about a 10 percent increase over the amount they were given previously.
About $15 million of this funding would be directed towards increased security for the justices, including an additional six personal protection agents for each member of the Court.
An additional $2 million would be earmarked for an off-site residential security post designed to improve emergency response times.
The number of Supreme Court police officers would also be increased under the expanded budget.
