No Fencing at the United States Supreme Court Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9038
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-26: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-08T17:47:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to prevent the expenditure of federal funds on installing new permanent fencing around the United States Supreme Court Building or its surrounding grounds.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is named the "No Fencing at the United States Supreme Court Act."
- Prohibition: Federal funds cannot be used to install permanent fencing around the perimeter of the Supreme Court Building or the Supreme Court grounds (as defined in existing law under section 6101(b) of title 40, United States Code).
- Rule of Construction: The prohibition does not restrict the repair or replacement of any fencing already in place on the date the law is enacted.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill introduces a new restriction on the use of federal appropriations specifically for permanent fencing at this location. It does not repeal or amend prior statutes but adds a targeted prohibition that could limit future security or construction projects funded by Congress.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Agencies responsible for managing or securing the Supreme Court grounds, such as those under the Architect of the Capitol or related federal entities, may face constraints on funding for certain infrastructure projects.
- Citizens: The measure could affect public access, visibility, or perceptions of security at the Supreme Court, potentially preserving an open appearance while limiting options for enhanced physical barriers.
- International Relations: No direct effects are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders
- The United States Supreme Court and its administrative support entities.
- Members of Congress and federal budgeting offices.
- Security and facilities management personnel at the federal level.
- The general public, particularly those concerned with court access or national security measures.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill raises questions about balancing physical security needs with principles of open government access to judicial institutions. It does not appear to conflict directly with constitutional requirements but could influence debates on federal spending authority and the symbolic role of the Supreme Court grounds.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-26: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-05-26: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-26: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E487)
- 2026-05-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- No Fencing at the United States Supreme Court Act — issued 2026-05-26 — PDF (2 pages)