OpenAI’s ChatGPT has become the dominant artificial intelligence tool inside the U.S. House of Representatives, capturing roughly 90% of all spending on AI tools by House offices, committees, and institutional accounts in the year ending March 31, according to a report from CNBC based on House disbursement records.
The records show Congress spent approximately $100,580 on ChatGPT across 798 transactions, out of at least $113,740 in total AI tool spending. Anthropic’s Claude trailed in second place at $13,160 across 37 transactions.
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Spending breakdown and partisan divide
The disbursement data reveals a significant partisan gap in AI adoption. Democratic offices accounted for $54,165 in AI purchases, more than three times the $15,782 spent by Republican offices during the same period. The remaining balance came from institutional accounts and committees.
These figures only capture direct, itemized purchases of AI tools. The total excludes free-tier usage of ChatGPT or other platforms, as well as AI capabilities bundled into broader software contracts, meaning actual Congressional reliance on AI is likely higher than the spending totals suggest.
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How staffers are using AI on Capitol Hill
Congressional staffers have integrated ChatGPT and similar tools into routine legislative work, according to the CNBC report. Common applications include:
- Writing and editing memos and internal communications
- Summarizing and analyzing complex legislation
- Drafting responses to constituent inquiries
- Preparing materials for hearings and committee sessions
- Sorting through policy research and large document sets
- Drafting social media posts and public statements
The adoption reflects a broader trend across federal agencies, where generative AI tools have moved from pilot programs to everyday workflow tools. The House’s Administrative Committee on the House Office of the Clerk has issued guidance encouraging staff to use approved AI tools while being mindful of data security and accuracy.
What this means for AI policy and procurement
The spending concentration raises questions about vendor lock-in and competitive dynamics in the federal AI market. OpenAI’s dominant position in Congress mirrors its broader market share among enterprise and consumer users, but it also puts the company in a privileged position as lawmakers draft AI regulation.
The partisan spending gap is notable, though it may reflect differences in office size, staff resources, or internal policies rather than ideological stances on AI. The data does not indicate which party has more favorable views of AI technology.
Federal AI procurement has been a focus of recent oversight efforts. The White House’s Office of Management and Budget issued guidance in 2025 requiring agencies to designate chief AI officers and report on AI use cases, a policy that has accelerated adoption across government. Congress’s own use of these tools is likely to inform how lawmakers approach AI regulation, including pending legislation on algorithmic accountability and transparency.
As the 119th Congress continues its work, the spending data offers a concrete measure of how quickly generative AI has become embedded in the legislative process. With the next disbursement reporting period already underway, observers will be watching whether other vendors gain ground or whether OpenAI’s early lead in the Congressional market continues to widen.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or an investment recommendation. The AI and technology markets are volatile and subject to rapid change.
