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National Congress of Brazil

The National Congress (Portuguese: Congresso Nacional) is the legislative body of Brazil's federal government. Unlike the state legislative assemblies and municipal chambers, the Congress is bicameral, composed of the Federal Senate (the upper house) and the Chamber of Deputies (the lower house). The Congress meets annually in Brasília from 2 February to 22 December, with a mid-term break taking place between 17 July and 1 August.[2][3]

National Congress

Congresso Nacional

6 May 1826 (1826-05-06)

5 February 2024 (2024-02-05)

Randolfe Rodrigues, Ind.
since 3 January 2023
Daniella Ribeiro, PSD
since 1 June 2023
Flávio Bolsonaro, PL
since 13 April 2023

  • 594 members:
  • 81 senators
  • 513 federal deputies

Government (16)

  PT (8)
  PSB (4)
  PDT (3)

Opposition (15)

  PL (12)
  PSDB (2)
  NOVO (1)

Independents (50)

  PSD (15)
  MDB (11)
  PODE (7)
  UNIÃO (7)
  PP (6)
  Republicans (4)

Government (225)

  FE Brasil (81)
  MDB (43)
  PSD (43)
  PDT (18)
  PSB (14)
  Avante (7)
  Solidarity (5)

Opposition (117)

  PL (96)
  NOVO (3)

Independents (169)

  UNIÃO (59)
  PP (50)
  Republicans (40)
  PODE (16)
  PRD (4)

Plurality voting, alternating every four years between single-member elections (FPTP) and dual-member elections (Block voting)

The Senate represents the 26 states and the Federal District. Each state and the Federal District has a representation of three senators, who are elected by popular ballot for a term of eight years. Every four years, renewal of either one third or two-thirds of the Senate (and of the delegations of the States and the Federal District) takes place.[4][5] The Chamber of Deputies represents the people of each state, and its members are elected for a four-year term by a system of proportional representation. Seats are allotted proportionally according to each state's population, with each state eligible for a minimum of 8 seats (least populous) and a maximum of 70 seats (most populous). Unlike the Senate, the whole of the Chamber of Deputies is renewed every four years.[6]


Until recently it was common for politicians to switch parties and the proportion of congressional seats held by each party would often change. Seats belong to the parties and not to the politicians; one can only change parties and retain his or her seat in a very limited set of cases. Politicians who abandon the party for which they were elected now face the loss of their congressional seat.[7] Each house of the Brazilian Congress elects its president and the other members of its directing board from among its members. The President of the Senate is ex officio the President of the National Congress, and in that capacity summons and presides over joint sessions, as well as over the joint services of both houses. The President of the Chamber is second in the presidential line of succession while the President of the Senate (and of Congress) is third.

Committee room

Committee room

Noble Room of the Senate

Noble Room of the Senate

Aerial view

Aerial view

Exterior view of the Chamber of Deputies

Exterior view of the Chamber of Deputies

Exterior view of the Senate chamber

Exterior view of the Senate chamber

The National Congress building at night

The National Congress building at night

Front facade and lawn, showing the twin towers.

Front facade and lawn, showing the twin towers.

The Congress as seen from the Monumental Axis

The Congress as seen from the Monumental Axis

Legislative police officers outside the National Congress building.

Legislative police officers outside the National Congress building.

Protesters during an anti-government demonstration in front of the Congress, 13 March 2016.

Protesters during an anti-government demonstration in front of the Congress, 13 March 2016.

Chamber of Deputies (Brazil)

Federal Senate (Brazil)

List of legislatures by country

Palácio do Planalto

Politics of Brazil

(in Portuguese)

National Congress

Chamber of Deputies of Brazil

Chamber of Deputies' e-Democracy

(in Portuguese)

Senate of Brazil

(in Portuguese)

Photos 360° of National Congress