Who has the authority to ratify treaties?

The authority to ratify treaties lies with the Senate. According to Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, the President has the power to negotiate and sign treaties, but these treaties must then be presented to the Senate for approval. A treaty can only be ratified if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate. This provision was included to ensure that treaties, which can have significant implications for foreign policy and national interest, receive careful consideration from the legislative branch. The involvement of the Senate reflects the framers' intention to balance power between the executive and legislative branches, preventing any single entity from unilaterally making binding international agreements.