Florida Civics EOC Practice Test

What is required for a treaty to become effective in the United States?

1. Approval by the President

2. A vote by the citizens

3. Negotiation by the Secretary of State and approval by the Senate

4. An executive order

The correct answer is: Negotiation by the Secretary of State and approval by the Senate

A treaty in the United States follows a specific process before it can become effective. The Secretary of State negotiates the terms of the treaty with the foreign nation, and then the Senate must approve it by a two-thirds majority vote. This ensures that a treaty is agreed upon by both the executive and legislative branches of the government. Option A is incorrect because the President alone does not have the power to approve a treaty. Option B is also incorrect because the citizens do not have a direct role in ratifying a treaty. And finally, option D is incorrect because an executive order does not have the same legal weight as a ratified treaty. Therefore, the correct answer is option C because it accurately describes the process required for a treaty to become effective in the United States.