Under the treaty process, a president negotiates an international treaty, the Senate consents to it by a _____ vote, and then the president ratifies it.

Under the treaty process, a president negotiates an international treaty, the Senate consents to it by a _____ vote, and then the president ratifies it.

• A. 1/3
• B. Simple majority
• C. 3/4
• D. 2/3

Answer: (D)

For a treaty to bind the United States, the Senate must provide advice and consent by a two-thirds vote, reflecting a broad consensus across parties. Once the Senate has approved with that supermajority, the President ratifies the treaty by signing it. The two-thirds requirement ensures that international commitments have substantial and enduring support, not just a simple majority. A simple majority would not provide the same level of cross-partisan backing, and a one-third or three-quarters threshold isn’t what the Constitution specifies.

For a treaty to bind the United States, the Senate must provide advice and consent by a two-thirds vote, reflecting a broad consensus across parties. Once the Senate has approved with that supermajority, the President ratifies the treaty by signing it. The two-thirds requirement ensures that international commitments have substantial and enduring support, not just a simple majority. A simple majority would not provide the same level of cross-partisan backing, and a one-third or three-quarters threshold isn’t what the Constitution specifies.