According to a CNBC analysis of House disbursement records, OpenAI's ChatGPT accounted for about $100,580 of the $113,740 spent on identifiable AI tools by House offices from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. This represents roughly 88% of the total spending and 96% of the transactions reviewed.
The analysis indicates that at least a sixth of House member offices are utilizing AI tools, which are being employed for various tasks such as summarizing legislation, drafting memos, and responding to constituents. Notably, Democratic offices led the spending with $54,165, compared to $15,782 by Republican offices.
The data, however, likely underrepresents total AI usage in Congress, as it excludes free accounts and AI bundled with other software. The competition among AI firms like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Microsoft is intensifying as they seek influence over how AI is regulated and utilized in government.
Lawmakers are increasingly relying on AI to manage workloads, with some offices reporting significant time savings. For instance, Rep. Julie Fedorchak noted that using ChatGPT has saved her staff dozens of hours weekly. Despite the benefits, concerns about the implications of AI technology persist, particularly regarding privacy and civil rights.
OpenAI's early entry into Congress and subsequent training initiatives have solidified its position, while its lobbying efforts have also increased significantly, reflecting the growing importance of AI in legislative processes