What is required for a treaty to be ratified in the United States?

• A. It must be signed by the President
• B. It must be approved by a majority of the House of Representatives
• C. It must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate
• D. It must be agreed upon by all state governors

Answer: (C)

A treaty must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate to be ratified in the United States. This requirement is established in Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which grants the President the power to negotiate treaties with foreign nations. However, these treaties cannot take effect until the Senate gives its advice and consent, requiring a two-thirds majority vote.

This method ensures that treaties receive a significant level of support within the government before becoming legally binding. The high threshold for approval reflects the seriousness with which the U.S. regards international agreements and the desire to prevent any single person or administration from unilaterally committing the nation to significant obligations. Other options do not hold constitutional authority in the treaty ratification process. For example, while the President must indeed sign a treaty before it can go to the Senate, their signature alone does not suffice for ratification. Similarly, approval from the House of Representatives or agreement from state governors is not necessary for the treaty ratification process.