Alito warns Congress could defund Supreme Court

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 14:49 · Archive

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito warned that Congress could cut the court's funding and halt its operations.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito warned Thursday night that Congress could effectively shut down the nation's highest court by cutting its funding. Speaking at the Federalist Society's Antonin Scalia Memorial Dinner, Alito said Congress could 'turn off the lights at the Supreme Court and stop everything from happening' and cited many other ways lawmakers could attempt to influence the court.

Alito argued that the judiciary is the weakest of the three branches of government because its members are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, whilst Congress controls the purse strings. 'If the independence of the judiciary is eliminated, the Constitution as adopted in 1789 will no longer be the same,' he warned.

While the Constitution explicitly protects Supreme Court justices from having their salaries reduced whilst they remain in office, Congress controls the court's broader appropriations and can influence funding for its staff, operations and facilities. Alito did not directly reference recent midterm elections or shifting congressional power, but Democrats have pushed for various court reforms following controversial decisions on abortion and other matters.

How it is being reported

• Alito warns against congressional Supreme Court meddling, says some lower court judges 'have gone far astray'Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito warns that Congress has the power to defund the high court and grind its operations to a halt.Fox News · 13 Nov, 14:35
• Alito warns Democrats could ‘turn off the lights’ at the Supreme Court by cutting its fundingThe conservative justice argued that the judiciary is the weakest of the three branches of government.New York Post · 13 Nov, 14:24

In this story: Samuel Alito · Supreme Court · Congress · Democrats

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