Which statement about executive agreements and treaties is true?

Which statement about executive agreements and treaties is true?

• A. They both require Senate approval
• B. Executive agreements require Senate approval
• C. Treaties never require Senate approval
• D. Executive agreements do not require Senate approval

Answer: (D)

The key idea is how the Senate is involved in international deals. Treaties are formal agreements negotiated by the President and require the advice and consent of a two-thirds Senate vote, making them binding across administrations and generally harder to change. Executive agreements, by contrast, are arrangements the President can make without Senate ratification, relying on the President’s unilateral authority or existing statutory authorization. Because they don’t go through the Senate, they are quicker to adopt and can be more flexible, though they may be more easily altered or overturned by future administrations or by Congress through legislation. Therefore, the statement that executive agreements do not require Senate approval is accurate in general.

The key idea is how the Senate is involved in international deals. Treaties are formal agreements negotiated by the President and require the advice and consent of a two-thirds Senate vote, making them binding across administrations and generally harder to change. Executive agreements, by contrast, are arrangements the President can make without Senate ratification, relying on the President’s unilateral authority or existing statutory authorization. Because they don’t go through the Senate, they are quicker to adopt and can be more flexible, though they may be more easily altered or overturned by future administrations or by Congress through legislation. Therefore, the statement that executive agreements do not require Senate approval is accurate in general.