LCJ Urges Support for Federal Judiciary’s FY 2027 Funding Request

LCJ urges Congress to fully fund the Federal Judiciary’s fiscal year 2027 funding request, in a letter submitted to congressional appropriations leaders. LCJ Public Trust in the Courts Committee Co-Chairs Doug Lampe and Barbara Smith Tyson highlight that a lack of sufficient funding leaves our courts increasingly vulnerable to security breaches, both physical and cyber. Read the letter here.

Full funding of the judiciary’s request will help ensure our federal courts can operate effectively and efficiently, and that the physical security needs of judges and other judicial personnel are addressed.

The letter includes a request for full funding for the judiciary’s courthouse construction and capital security projects, which are funded through the General Service Administration’s (GSA) budget. Funding shortfalls have led to concerns about the deterioration of federal courthouses and other facilities.

At LCJ’s Spring membership meeting, U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Amy St. Eve, the chair of the Judicial Conference Committee on the Budget, joined retired U.S. District Court Judge Kim Mueller, now director of the Bolch Institute, for a conversation with Barbara Smith Tyson which focused on federal judicial funding issues, resource needs, growing threats against judges, and other concerns.

Lagging public trust in our judicial system is a continuing problem for our country. Lawyers and parties who engage regularly in the civil justice system rely on public acceptance of judicial decisions and depend on jurors to respect the judicial process and judges’ instructions. LCJ’s Public Trust in the Courts Committee supports initiatives to Improve the public’s trust in the judicial branch. Adequate funding of our courts is necessary for the judiciary to ensure its operations are safe, efficient, and effective.