The Constitution Requires Agreements between Two or More States to Receive the Approval of
When it comes to interstate agreements, the United States Constitution lays out certain requirements that must be met in order for them to be legally binding. One such requirement is that any agreement between two or more states must receive the approval of both the Congress and the states involved.
This requirement is outlined in Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution, which reads in part, “No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, … enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State.” This means that if two or more states want to enter into an agreement with each other, they must first seek approval from both Congress and the states involved.
Why is this requirement so important? For one, it helps to ensure that any agreements made between states are fair and equitable. By requiring the approval of both Congress and the states involved, there is greater transparency and accountability in the process, and all parties have a say in the terms of the agreement.
Additionally, requiring approval from Congress helps to maintain the balance of power between the federal government and the states. Without this requirement, states could potentially enter into agreements that go against federal laws or policies, which could cause confusion and conflict.
It`s worth noting that not all agreements between states require approval from Congress. For example, states can enter into agreements with each other on issues such as transportation or healthcare without seeking approval from Congress, as long as the agreement doesn`t run afoul of federal law.
In conclusion, the Constitution requires that any agreement or compact between two or more states must receive the approval of both Congress and the states involved. This helps to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the process, while also maintaining the balance of power between the federal government and the states.