The Definitive Guide: 5 Crucial Rules For Capitalizing 'Congress' You Must Know

The question of whether to capitalize "Congress" is one of the most common and persistent grammatical dilemmas in English, especially when writing about the United States government. As of the current date, December 10, 2025, the rule is overwhelmingly consistent across all major style guides: "Congress" is almost always capitalized, but the devil is in the details of its related words, like the adjective "congressional." This comprehensive guide breaks down the simple, definitive rules so you can write about the U.S. legislative body with absolute confidence, adhering to professional standards from the Associated Press (AP) to the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS).

The core principle behind the capitalization is simple: "Congress" functions as a proper noun when it refers to the specific legislative body of the United States, composed of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. When a word names a single, specific entity, person, or place—like "Eiffel Tower" or "President Biden"—it is capitalized. However, when the word is used as a general, common noun, or in its adjectival form, the capitalization rules shift dramatically, creating the confusion that writers frequently face.

Rule 1: Always Capitalize 'Congress' as the U.S. Legislative Body

The primary rule is straightforward and universally accepted by journalistic, academic, and governmental style guides.

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• The Proper Noun Rule: Always capitalize "Congress" when it refers to the specific legislative branch of the United States government. This is because it is a proper noun, naming a unique, single institution.
• Referring to Both Houses: This capitalization applies when you are referring to the Senate and House of Representatives collectively.
• Examples of Correct Usage: "The bill passed through Congress last night." "Congress will adjourn for the holiday recess." "U.S. Congress has the power to declare war."

Key Entities to Capitalize

The capitalization rule extends to specific, named components and historical bodies, establishing topical authority on the subject:

• U.S. Senate
• House of Representatives (often shortened to "the House")
• The Capitol (when referring to the building)
• First Continental Congress
• Elected officials (e.g., Senator, Representative, when used as a formal title before a name)

Rule 2: Lowercase the Adjective 'Congressional' Unless Part of a Formal Title

This is where most writers trip up. The adjectival form of the noun, "congressional," is generally *not* capitalized.

• General Adjective Use: Use the lowercase "congressional" when it is simply describing a noun, such as a committee, hearing, or session.
• Examples of Lowercase Usage: "A congressional oversight committee was formed." "She attended the congressional hearing." "The debate took place during the congressional session."
• The Exception (Formal Names): The only time "Congressional" is capitalized is when it is part of a formal, proper name or title.

When 'Congressional' Becomes a Proper Noun

Certain specific, named entities require the capitalization of the adjective because the entire phrase functions as a proper noun.

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• Eleventh Congressional District
• Congressional Justification (a specific recurring report name)
• Congressional Record (the official record of proceedings)
• Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

Understanding this distinction is crucial for maintaining a professional and consistent voice. The adjective "federal" follows a similar rule; it is typically lowercase unless part of a proper name like "Federal Bureau of Investigation."

Rule 3: Style Guide Consistency (AP vs. Chicago vs. MLA)

Fortunately, for the word "Congress" itself, the major style guides are in near-perfect alignment, which is a rare comfort in the world of grammar and style.

Associated Press (AP) Style

AP Style, primarily used by journalists, news organizations, and public relations professionals, explicitly states: Capitalize "US Congress" and "Congress" when referring to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives together. The adjective "congressional" is lowercase unless part of a formal name.

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Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)

CMOS, preferred by book publishers, academics, and many non-journalistic writers, also mandates capitalization. The rule notes that "Congress" (along with "Senate" and "House of Representatives") should be capitalized. CMOS also extends this rule to historical bodies like the "First Continental Congress."

MLA Style

MLA (Modern Language Association) Style, commonly used for humanities papers, follows the same standard. When citing government documents, for example, a specific session is capitalized: "110th Congress, 1st session, Senate Report 111-8." The underlying principle remains that "Congress" is a proper noun.

Rule 4: Lowercase 'Congress' When Used as a Common Noun

While the U.S. legislative body is a proper noun, the word "congress" can be used as a common noun to mean a general assembly, meeting, or gathering of people. In this less frequent usage, it is not capitalized.

• The General Assembly Rule: If you are talking about a meeting that is *not* the U.S. legislative body, use lowercase.
• Example: "The International Congress of Mathematicians meets every four years." "They attended a congress of environmental activists."

Rule 5: The Related Titles and Terms

To fully master the capitalization of the legislative branch, you must also be aware of the rules for related titles and terms:

• Titles Before Names: Capitalize formal titles when they immediately precede a person's name: "Senator Patty Murray" or "Representative Jim Clyburn."
• Titles Standing Alone: Lowercase titles when they stand alone or follow a person's name: "Patty Murray, the senator from Washington." "The representative voted on the bill."
• The Word 'Government': The word "government" is generally lowercase ("the federal government," "the government's budget") unless it is part of a proper name ("Government Accountability Office").

Mastering these five rules ensures that your writing is not only grammatically correct but also adheres to the professional standards expected when discussing the United States legislative branch and the broader political landscape. By treating "Congress" as the proper noun it is, you eliminate the guesswork and establish your authority on governmental terminology.