Question

In 2013, United States Secretary of State John Kerry signed a United Nations arms treaty.That treaty was submitted to the United States Senate, and fifty-one senators approved it. That treaty:

a. is binding law in the United States because it was signed by a high-ranking U.S. official.

b. is binding law in the United States because a majority of the Senate ratified it.

c. is not binding law in the United States because treaties are not binding.

d. is not binding law in the United States because it was not ratified by two-thirds of the Senate.

Answer 1

In United States, a 'treaty' can be legally binding if it is negotiated and signed by a member of federal government and then subsequently been passed by the Senate with two-third majority and then ratified by the President.

In given case, United Nations arms treaty is negotiated and signed by the member of federal government but is not ratified by the two-third majority of the senate.

Thus,

This treaty is not binding law in the United States because it was not ratified by two-thirds of the Senate.

Hence, the correct answer is the option (d).