Capitalize when referring to a specific governmental body. For example,
- the U.S. House of Representatives
- the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Capitalize shortened references that delete the words “of Representatives.” For example,
- the U.S. House
- the Massachusetts House
Retain capitalization if U.S. or the name of a state is dropped but the reference is to a specific body. For example,
- BOSTON (AP) — The House has convened for the year.
Lowercase plural uses. For Example,
- The Massachusetts and Rhode Island houses debated similar bills.
Apply the same principle to similar legislative bodies such as “the Virginia House of Delegates.”
See also AP Style Organizations and Institutions for guidelines on how to handle the term when it is used by a nongovernmental body.