United States 116th Congress Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

S 2511 — Reauthorizing Security for Supreme Court Justices Act

Last action — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 282.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

In plain language

This bill grants Supreme Court security the authority to protect justices anywhere.

The bill amends existing law to enable the Supreme Court Marshal and Police to provide security for justices in any location. It also outlines the conditions under which they may carry firearms while escorting official guests, requiring authorization from justices for such actions.

Summary

Reauthorizing Security for Supreme Court Justices Act This bill permanently authorizes the Marshal of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Police to provide security protection for Supreme Court Justices (and their official guests) and officers and employees of the Supreme Court. Additionally, it permits such protection to be provided in any location—not just in any state.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

29 added · 5 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment changes the language in the legislation related to the policing authority at the United States Supreme Court. Specifically, it replaces the term "any State" with "any location," broadening the scope of where certain duties can be performed. Additionally, it stipulates that the authorization for Supreme Court security to carry firearms in locations outside the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia must be provided in writing by a Chief Justice or an Associate Justice. This alteration aims to clarify and expand the context in which security personnel operate.

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2511 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
2511 Reported in Senate (RS)] <DOC> Calendar No.
282 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 40, United States Code, to provide the Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States and Supreme Court Police with the authority to protect the Chief Justice of the United States, any Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and other individuals in any location, and for other purposes.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary November 5, 2019 Reported by Mr.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.
Graham, with an amendment [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 40, United States Code, to provide the Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States and Supreme Court Police with the authority to protect the Chief Justice of the United States, any Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and other individuals in any location, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <DELETED>SECTION 1.
UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT BUILDING AND GROUNDS POLICING AUTHORITY.</DELETED> <DELETED> Section 6121 of title 40, United States Code, is amended-- </DELETED> <DELETED> (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``any State'' and inserting ``any location'';</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(b) Authorization To Carry Firearms.--Duties under subsection (a)(2)(A) with respect to an official guest of the Supreme Court in any location (other than the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) shall be authorized in writing by the Chief Justice or an Associate Justice, if those duties require the carrying of firearms under subsection (a)(4).''.</DELETED> SECTION 1.
SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Reauthorizing Security for Supreme Court Justices Act''.
SEC.
2.
Section 6121 of title 40, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``any State'' and inserting ``any location'';
Section 6121 of title 40, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``any State'' and inserting ``any location'';
(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
and (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
<all>
Calendar No.
282 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
2511 _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 40, United States Code, to provide the Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States and Supreme Court Police with the authority to protect the Chief Justice of the United States, any Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and other individuals in any location, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________ November 5, 2019 Reported with an amendment
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How this bill changes current law

2 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill expands the locations where the Supreme Court Police can provide protection to include any location and clarifies the authorization for carrying firearms.

  • 40 U.S.C. § 6121

    any State → any location

    This change allows the Supreme Court Police to provide protection in any location, not just within a state.

  • 40 U.S.C. § 6121

    (b) Authorization To Carry Firearms— → (b) Authorization To Carry Firearms.--Duties under subsection (a)(2)(A) with respect to an official guest of the Supreme Court in any location (other than the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) shall be authorized in writing by the Chief Justice or an Associate Justice, if those duties require the carrying of firearms under subsection (a)(4).

    This change clarifies and formalizes the process by which the carrying of firearms is authorized for protection duties involving official guests of the Supreme Court.

Action History

  1. Introduced in Senate

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

  3. Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  4. Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  5. Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  6. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 282.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 2511 do?
Reauthorizing Security for Supreme Court Justices Act This bill permanently authorizes the Marshal of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Police to provide security protection for Supreme Court Justices (and their official guests) and officers and employees of the Supreme Court. Additionally, it permits such protection to be provided in any location—not just in any state.
Who sponsors S 2511?
S 2511 is sponsored by Graham, Lindsey (Republican).
What is the current status of S 2511?
This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S 2511?
Track S 2511 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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