ARTICLE 2

Source: Senate may ratify UK and Australia treaties, September 9, 2010
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6874UW20100909

Constitutional Connection: Article 2, The Executive Branch, Section 2, Clause 2
“The President shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur.”

Explanation of Connection:

President Barrack Obama is pushing the Senate to for approval of a treaty. Former President W. Bush first signed a treaty with Britain and Australia in 2007. Now President Obama and the United States Senate have almost gotten the treaty passed.

This article demonstrates Article 2, Section 2, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution. This article shows that the President has the power to sign treaties but the treaties don’t go into effect until the Senate approves. The President doesn’t have the sole power to sign treaties. The Senate can stop the President’s decision to sign a treaty.

I think that is important for the different branches of government to check each other. But I don’t think this part of the Constitution is necessary. The treaty process takes too long. Making peace with other countries is an important part of government. The President tried to sign this treaty in 2007 and it is just now almost, possibly going to be passed by the Senate. Peace with other countries would be a lot easier without this part of the Constitution.