constitutional-law us-constitution legal-terms
The &quot;compact&quot; in &quot;Agreement or Compact&quot; (U.S. Constitution): legal terminology
<p>The word <a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/compact#etymonline_v_17252" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><em>compact</em></a> is used in the "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_One_of_the_United_States_Constitution#Clause_3:_Compact_Clause" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Compact clause</a>" of the Constitution of the United States: "<em>No State shall, without the Consent of Congress</em> [...] <em>enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State</em> [...]" (U.S. Constitution, article one, section 10, clause 3) and a few questions refer to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Popular_Vote_Interstate_Compact" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><em>National Popular Vote Interstate Compact</em></a>.</p>

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<ul>
<li>Is there case law discussing whether the <em>Compact clause</em> wording construes the <em>compact</em> as the equivalent of an <em>agreement</em> or something different and if so what does it essentially say?</li>
<li>Is the dictionary <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/compact?s=t" rel="nofollow noreferrer">definition</a> ("a formal agreement between two or more parties, states, etc.; contract", <em>Dictionary.com</em>) too precise or too generic to accurately represent what the compact is in article one, section 10, clause 3?</li>
<li>Is the word <em>compact</em> typical 18th century legal terminology in the U.S.?</li>
</ul>

<p>In <a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/148/503/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Virginia v. Tennessee, 148 U.S. 503 (1893)</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Compacts or agreements -- and we do not perceive any difference in the meaning, except that the word "compact" is generally used with reference to more formal and serious engagements than is usually implied in the term "agreement" -- cover all stipulations affecting the conduct or claims of the parties.</p>
</blockquote>
