<P> Throughout U.S. history , the President has also made international `` agreements '' through congressional - executive agreements ( CEAs ) that are ratified with only a majority from both houses of Congress , or sole - executive agreements made by the President alone . Though the Constitution does not expressly provide for any alternative to the Article II treaty procedure , Article I , Section 10 of the Constitution does distinguish between treaties ( which states are forbidden to make ) and agreements ( which states may make with the consent of Congress ) . The Supreme Court of the United States has considered congressional - executive and sole - executive agreements to be valid , and they have been common throughout American history . Thomas Jefferson explained that the Article II treaty procedure is not necessary when there is no long - term commitment : </P>
<P> Throughout U.S. history , the President has also made international `` agreements '' through congressional - executive agreements ( CEAs ) that are ratified with only a majority from both houses of Congress , or sole - executive agreements made by the President alone . Though the Constitution does not expressly provide for any alternative to the Article II treaty procedure , Article I , Section 10 of the Constitution does distinguish between treaties ( which states are forbidden to make ) and agreements ( which states may make with the consent of Congress ) . The Supreme Court of the United States has considered congressional - executive and sole - executive agreements to be valid , and they have been common throughout American history . Thomas Jefferson explained that the Article II treaty procedure is not necessary when there is no long - term commitment : </P>
who has to ratify a treaty made by the president
who has to ratify a treaty made by the president
a majority from both houses of Congress sole - executive agreements made by the President alone
a majority from both houses of Congress sole - executive agreements made by the President alone