Judiciary leaders request $9.4B budget for fiscal year 2026 amid resource controversies

The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations convened on May 15, 2025, for an oversight hearing focused on the federal judiciary's budget and operational needs for fiscal year 2026. The meeting aimed to address the judiciary's funding requests and the implications of recent funding freezes on its ability to function effectively.

The session began with remarks from Chairman Joyce, who emphasized the importance of understanding the judiciary's priorities and resource allocation during challenging times. Ranking Member Hoyer followed, expressing concern over calls from some House Republicans for punitive measures against judges whose rulings conflict with the administration's stance. He highlighted the critical need for judicial independence and adequate funding to uphold the rule of law.

Hoyer noted that the judiciary's fiscal year 2026 budget request totals $9.4 billion, representing a $800 million increase from the previous year. However, he pointed out that 68% of this increase is merely to counteract inflation, with the remainder aimed at addressing programmatic needs. He stressed the urgency of fulfilling this request to prevent jeopardizing the judiciary's constitutional functions, particularly in light of ongoing staffing shortages in the federal public defender program.

Judge Amy St. Eve, chair of the Judicial Conference Committee on the Budget, presented the judiciary's budget request, underscoring the necessity of consistent funding to maintain operations amid rising workloads and security threats. She detailed the impacts of previous funding freezes, including delays in judicial security projects and the suspension of payments to private attorneys representing indigent defendants.

Judge Robert Conrad, secretary of the Judicial Conference, echoed these concerns, particularly regarding the increase in threats against judges and the need for enhanced court security funding. He highlighted the judiciary's efforts to create a safe workplace and improve cybersecurity measures in response to rising cyber threats.

The discussion also touched on the judiciary's commitment to cost containment, with both judges outlining various strategies to optimize resources without compromising service quality. They emphasized the importance of shared resources among courts and the implementation of technology to reduce operational costs.

As the hearing progressed, committee members expressed bipartisan support for the judiciary's funding needs, particularly in light of the increasing demands placed on the federal court system. The session concluded with a call for collaboration to ensure the judiciary receives the necessary resources to uphold justice and maintain public trust in the legal system.