contempt of congress: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Legal, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “contempt of congress” mean?
A legal charge for willfully obstructing or failing to comply with a legitimate order, subpoena, or inquiry issued by the United States Congress or one of its committees.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A legal charge for willfully obstructing or failing to comply with a legitimate order, subpoena, or inquiry issued by the United States Congress or one of its committees.
An offense against the authority and dignity of a legislative body (specifically the US Congress) that demonstrates defiance of its lawful powers to investigate and legislate. The term can also be used metaphorically in non-legal contexts to describe open, public disrespect for a governmental or institutional authority.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The specific term 'Contempt of Congress' is exclusively American, referring to the US legislature. The British equivalent is 'Contempt of Parliament', which applies to the UK Parliament.
Connotations
In the US, it carries strong connotations of political confrontation, constitutional checks and balances, and high-profile political scandals. In the UK, 'Contempt of Parliament' is similarly serious but may be perceived within a different historical and procedural tradition.
Frequency
Virtually never used in a British context except when discussing American politics. 'Contempt of Parliament' is the standard term in the UK and Commonwealth nations.
Grammar
How to Use “contempt of congress” in a Sentence
[Person/Entity] was held/cited for contempt of Congress for [gerund phrase, e.g., refusing to testify].The committee voted to hold [Person] in contempt of Congress.[Person] faces a potential contempt of Congress charge.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “contempt of congress” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The official was threatened with being held in contempt of Parliament.
American English
- The House voted to hold the former advisor in contempt of Congress.
adjective
British English
- The contempt-of-Parliament procedure was initiated.
American English
- He received a contempt-of-Congress citation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare, unless a company executive is testifying before a congressional committee. Might appear in risk assessment reports (e.g., 'The CEO risks contempt of Congress charges if he refuses the subpoena.').
Academic
Used in political science, legal studies, and American history texts discussing separation of powers, legislative oversight, and political confrontations (e.g., 'The Watergate hearings explored the limits of executive privilege and contempt of Congress.').
Everyday
Almost exclusively encountered in news reports about US political scandals or high-profile congressional investigations.
Technical
A precise term in US federal law and parliamentary procedure. Used in legal briefs, congressional resolutions, and judicial opinions concerning legislative power.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “contempt of congress”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “contempt of congress”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “contempt of congress”
- Using 'for' instead of 'of' (*contempt for Congress* is an attitude; *contempt of Congress* is a charge).
- Capitalizing incorrectly (usually capitalized as 'Contempt of Congress' when referring to the specific charge).
- Confusing it with 'contempt of court', which is a separate, more common legal charge.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are charges for defying a governmental body's authority, contempt of court is for disobeying a court, while contempt of Congress is for disobeying a congressional subpoena or order. They are prosecuted under different laws and procedures.
Any private citizen, government official, or organization that willfully fails to comply with a valid order or subpoena from a committee of the US Congress can be charged. This includes refusing to testify or to produce requested documents.
The process begins with a committee vote. If the full chamber (House or Senate) approves, the matter is referred to the US Attorney for the District of Columbia for prosecution. If convicted, the penalty is a fine of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for one to twelve months.
It is legally untested and a subject of significant constitutional debate. A sitting President has never been charged. The political and constitutional mechanism for dealing with a President who defies Congress is typically impeachment, not a criminal contempt prosecution.
A legal charge for willfully obstructing or failing to comply with a legitimate order, subpoena, or inquiry issued by the United States Congress or one of its committees.
Contempt of congress is usually formal, legal, journalistic in register.
Contempt of congress: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈtɛmpt əv ˈkɒŋɡrɛs/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈtɛmpt əv ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be held in contempt (of Congress/Parliament)”
- “A contempt citation”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CONtempt as CONfronting CONgress. It's the legal consequence for directly confronting or disobeying the US Congress's authority.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONGRESS IS A COURT / DEFIANCE IS A CRIME. The term treats Congress as having a judicial-like authority to punish disobedience, framing non-compliance as a criminal act against the state's legislative body.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary consequence of being found guilty of contempt of Congress?