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Supreme Court of the United States

Salaries and Expenses

FTE ($000) FTE ($000) FTE ($000)

FY 2020 Enacted Appropriation 9 2,680 513 87,699 522 90,379

Adjustments to Base - 49 - 2,455 - 2,504

Program Increases - - 2 3,476 2 3,476

FY 2021 Appropriation Request 9 2,729 515 93,630 524 96,359

FY 2021 Request

Mandatory Discretionary Total

The U.S. Supreme Court requests $96.4 million ($2.7 million for mandatory expenses and 

$93.6 million for discretionary expenses) in FY 2021 for the Salaries and Expenses account. 

The $93.6 million request for discretionary appropriations represents a $5.9 million increase over 

the FY 2020 enacted discretionary appropriation. This request reflects the necessary adjustments 

to base to maintain current services. Additionally, the Court requests program increases for 

telecommunications upgrades and security improvements for FY 2021.

I. Mandatory Adjustments to Base

The FY 2021 request includes $49,000 for standard pay increases and changes in benefits for the

Chief Justice and the Associate Justices. 

II. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

The Supreme Court requests a $2.5 million increase for discretionary expenses in FY 2021 for 

standard pay and other inflationary adjustments. 

III. Program Changes

The FY 2021 request for the Court includes $3.5 million for program increases.

1. Telecommunications and network upgrades: $0.5 million

This request will fund anticipated hardware and software maintenance/licensing costs,

replacement of end-of-life data and voice communications management systems, 

replacement of end-of-life cyber security monitoring components, and additional costs 

associated with implementing new communication services.
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2. Security program administration: $2.9 million and 2 FTE

This request will fund four administrative positions (2 FTE), hardware and software 

system upgrades, specialized services, and other costs associated with administrative 

improvements to enhance the Supreme Court’s security programs. 

IV. Appropriations Language

Supreme Court of the United States 

Salaries and Expenses

For expenses necessary for the operation of the Supreme Court, as required by law, excluding 

care of the building and grounds, including hire of passenger motor vehicles as authorized by 

31 U.S.C. 1343 and 1344; not to exceed $10,000 for official reception and representation 

expenses; and for miscellaneous expenses, to be expended as the Chief Justice may approve, 

[$87,699,000]$93,630,000, of which $1,500,000 shall remain available until expended.

In addition, there are appropriated such sums as may be necessary under current law for salaries 

of the chief justice and associate justices of the court.

(P.L. 116-93 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2020)

V. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY 2019

Actual

FY 2020

Assumed

FY 2021

Request

Compensation and Benefits 65,959 70,105 73,866

Rent, Communications and Utilities 1,242 1,257 1,282

Travel 1,101 1,365 1,392

Other 17,794 17,652 19,819

Total Obligations 86,096 90,379 96,359

Other Adjustments 1,270 - -

Available Appropriation 87,366 90,379 96,359

 Mandatory Appropriation 2,663 2,680 2,729

 Discretionary Appropriation 84,703 87,699 93,630

U.S. Supreme Court - Salaries and Expenses

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)
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Supreme Court of the United States

Care of the Building and Grounds

FTE ($000)

FY 2020 Enacted Appropriation 54 15,590

Adjustments to Base - (3,912)

Program Increases - -

FY 2021 Appropriation Request 54 11,678

FY 2021 Request

Discretionary

The U.S. Supreme Court requests $11.7 million for its Care of the Building and Grounds account 

in FY 2021, a decrease of 25.1 percent from the FY 2020 enacted appropriation. 

The Architect of the Capitol provides for the structural and mechanical care of the U.S. Supreme 

Court Building and Grounds, including maintenance and operation of mechanical, electrical, and 

electronic equipment. This request includes the necessary adjustments to base to maintain 

current services. The Court requests no program increases for FY 2021.

I. Discretionary Adjustments to Base

The Supreme Court requests a net decrease of $3.9 million. The request consists of a net

increase of $0.3 million for standard pay and other inflationary adjustments as well as a decrease 

of $4.2 million for non-recurring costs associated with the electrical systems and critical 

infrastructure project. 

II. Appropriations Language

Supreme Court of the United States 

Care of the Building and Grounds

For such expenditures as may be necessary to enable the Architect of the Capitol to carry out the 

duties imposed upon the Architect by 40 U.S.C. 6111 and 6112, [$15,590,000]$11,678,000, to 

remain available until expended.

(P.L. 116-93 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2020)
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III. Summary of Obligations

Category

FY 2019

Actual

FY 2020

Assumed

FY 2021

Request

Compensation and Benefits 5,513 5,600 5,825

Rent, Communications and Utilities 2,584 2,600 2,650

Other 5,642 13,754 10,085

Total Direct Obligations 13,739 21,954 18,560

Other Adjustments 2,260 (6,364) (6,882)

Available Appropriation 15,999 15,590 11,678

U.S. Supreme Court - Care of the Building and Grounds

Comparative Summary of Obligations by Category

($000)