Treaty Tracker
International agreements before the U.S. Senate
Mutual Legal Assistance
How Treaty Ratification Works
The U.S. Constitution's Article II process
Negotiation & Signing
The President (or representatives) negotiate and sign a treaty with foreign nations.
Transmitted to Senate
The President submits the treaty to the Senate for its "advice and consent" per Article II of the Constitution.
Foreign Relations Committee
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds hearings, may amend, and votes to report the treaty to the full Senate.
Senate Floor Vote
The full Senate debates and votes. A two-thirds supermajority (67 of 100 senators) is required for ratification.
Ratification
If approved, the President ratifies the treaty and it enters into force as the "supreme Law of the Land."
Key fact: Unlike regular legislation, treaties require a two-thirds Senate vote (not a simple majority). The House of Representatives plays no formal role in the treaty process. Treaties that fail to receive Senate action before a Congress ends must be resubmitted by the President to the next Congress.