Who has the power to admit new states into the Union?

Who has the power to admit new states into the Union?

• A. The Congress
• B. The President
• C. The Supreme Court
• D. The Senate

Answer: (A)

The ability to admit new states rests in the hands of Congress. The Constitution gives Congress the authority to admit new states into the Union, and the process typically involves Congress passing an enabling act to organize a territory and then an act of admission once conditions are met. The President usually signs the admission bill, but the power to authorize statehood is not his alone. The Supreme Court does not handle admitting states, and the Senate by itself cannot admit a state—the action requires a law passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President.

The ability to admit new states rests in the hands of Congress. The Constitution gives Congress the authority to admit new states into the Union, and the process typically involves Congress passing an enabling act to organize a territory and then an act of admission once conditions are met. The President usually signs the admission bill, but the power to authorize statehood is not his alone. The Supreme Court does not handle admitting states, and the Senate by itself cannot admit a state—the action requires a law passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President.