WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chris Coons (D-DE) released the following statements after their Supreme Court Police Parity Act, which would allow the Supreme Court of the United States Police to provide the families of Supreme Court Justices with around-the-clock security protection, passed the House of Representatives:

“Last week we received a terrifying reminder of the threats against the Justices and their families, and we don’t have time to spare when it comes to providing the protection they desperately need,” said Sen. Cornyn. “After sitting on this bill for more than a month, I’m glad House Democrats allowed a vote on this legislation, and I’m grateful to Congressman Issa for his hard work in ushering this through the House. I strongly urge President Biden to sign this into law immediately.”

“Threats and actual violence against members of the judiciary have risen to truly horrifying levels, including the murder of a retired Wisconsin state judge and the home invasion and murder of the son of a federal judge in New Jersey by a crazed killer who also had been tracking Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Just this week, law enforcement also arrested an individual for plotting to kill Justice Kavanaugh.  We have to look at threats of violence against the judiciary as acts that endanger the rule of law and our democracy, and as responsible elected officials, we all ought to lower the temperature of our rhetoric when it comes to the third branch. In the meantime, we must also take these threats seriously as they happen. That’s why I’m glad to see the House pass our bipartisan legislation to strengthen protections for Supreme Court justices and their families, and I look forward to President Biden swiftly signing this into law,” said Sen. Coons. 

Background:

If enacted, the Supreme Court Police Parity Act would extend security protection to Supreme Court Justices and their families in line with what is provided to certain Article I and Article II officers and their families. The legislation passed the Senate in early May and was led in the House by Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50).