Congress Could Turn the Lights Off at the Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito expressed concern about Congress’ potential use of the power of the purse against the high court in remarks at an event in Washington, D.C., Thursday night.

Speaking with conservative author Mollie Hemingway at a black-tie dinner for the annual Federalist Society’s National Lawyers Convention, Alito said the judiciary is the “least dangerous” branch of the government and is “vulnerable to the executive and to Congress because they are more powerful.”

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Jr. on Thursday warned that Congress could defund the high court, hamstringing its ability to carry out its operations, The Hill reported.

“Congress can turn off the lights at the Supreme Court and stop everything from happening if they want to defund their activities. And there are many, many, many other things that they can do, or at least try to do,” Alito said during remarks at the Federalist Society’s Antonin Scalia Memorial Dinner, the outlet reported.

“So, it is important to preserve the independence of the judiciary,” he reportedly said. “If that is eliminated, then the Constitution as adopted in 1789 will no longer be the same.”