Question

Which of these actions by Congress requires a "supermajority"-approval by two- thirds of all members voting rather than a simple majority of half plus one? A. passage of a bill B. approval of a cabinet appointment C. override of a veto D. ratification of a treaty

Short answer

C. Override of a veto.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Simple Majority

A simple majority requires the approval of more than half (50% + 1) of the members voting. This is common for most legislative decisions.

Requirement for Supermajority

A supermajority, such as two-thirds approval, is a higher threshold meant for more significant decisions. In Congress, this ensures broader consensus.

Analyze Actions by Congress

Examine actions to determine which requires a supermajority: (A) Passage of a bill typically requires a simple majority. (B) Approval of a cabinet appointment requires a simple majority in the Senate. (C) To override a presidential veto, a supermajority of two-thirds in both houses is required. (D) Ratification of a treaty requires a supermajority of two-thirds in the Senate.

Confirm Correct Action

Identify the action from options that explicitly requires a two-thirds supermajority for approval. Both actions C and D require a supermajority, but the exercise asks for only one action.

Choose the Best Answer

Determine that the action being sought by the question is 'override of a veto' (Option C). Although 'ratification of a treaty' also requires a supermajority, it is not specified which house or overall hence 'override of a veto' is the most straightforward.

Key concepts

simple majority

In legislative terms, a simple majority refers to a type of vote where more than half of the members present and voting must agree. This is usually expressed as 50% plus one. Most legislative decisions, such as the passage of ordinary bills or the approval of appointments, require a simple majority. For example, if 100 members are voting, at least 51 votes are needed for approval.
Understanding the concept of a simple majority is crucial because it's the foundation for many decisions within Congress. However, some critical actions require a higher threshold.

supermajority

A supermajority is a higher threshold than a simple majority. This term generally indicates a significant portion of the vote, such as two-thirds or three-quarters, depending on the specific requirement.
For example, a two-thirds supermajority means that two-thirds of all members present and voting need to agree. This higher requirement is put in place for more significant decisions to ensure broader consensus and to prevent a small majority from making potentially major changes that affect the entire country.
Actions that need a supermajority often include overriding a presidential veto, ratifying treaties, and amending the Constitution.

legislative process

The legislative process is the series of steps through which a proposal (a bill) becomes law. Here's a simplified breakdown:

• A bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.
• The bill is then assigned to a committee where it is studied, debated, and possibly amended.
• If approved by the committee, the bill moves to the floor for debate and voting; this typically requires a simple majority.
• If both houses of Congress approve the bill, it goes to the president, who can either sign it into law or veto it.
• If vetoed, Congress can attempt to override the veto, which requires a two-thirds supermajority in both houses.

This systematic process ensures that multiple perspectives are considered before a bill becomes law.

veto override

When the president vetoes a bill, it means they refuse to sign it into law. However, this doesn't necessarily end the legislative process. Congress has the power to override a presidential veto.
To do this, both the House of Representatives and the Senate must achieve a two-thirds supermajority vote. For example, if the House has 435 members, at least 290 must vote to override the veto.
This requirement ensures that a significant majority agrees to enact the law despite the president's objections, providing a check on presidential power.

treaty ratification

Treaty ratification refers to the formal approval of treaties signed by the President. In the United States, this power predominantly lies with the Senate.
To ratify a treaty, a two-thirds supermajority vote in the Senate is required. For instance, if there are 100 Senators, at least 67 must agree for the treaty to be approved.
The high threshold for treaty ratification ensures that treaties, which often have significant international implications, have broad support within the legislative branch. This helps maintain a balance between swift diplomatic action and thorough legislative oversight.