U.S. Treaties & Agreements - The Process
Under U.S. law,
Note that under international law, both types of agreements are considered binding.
For more information about treaties, see Frederic Kirgis, International Agreements and U.S. Law and Treaties and Other International Agreements: The Role of the United States Senate: A Study, prepared for the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, S. Print 106-71 (note that this is a long document and can take some time to load).
Ratification & Implementation of U.S. Treaties and Agreements
When conducting U.S. treaty research, it is important to understand the ratification and implementation process. Negotiation of treaties and international agreements is the responsibility of the Executive Branch.
Outline of the Treaty Making Process
Outline of the Agreement Making Process
For more information on the ratification and implementation process, see Robert E. Dalton, National Treaty Law and Practice: United States and Treaties and Other International Agreements: The Role of the United States Senate: A Study, prepared for the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, S. Print 106-71.