What is required for Interstate economic compacts?

Interstate economic compacts are agreements between two or more states that are intended to manage issues of mutual interest, which can include economic cooperation. The requirement for such compacts to have the consent of Congress stems from the Constitution, specifically Article I, Section 10. This section ensures that states cannot enter into treaties, alliances, or confederations without obtaining congressional approval.

This constitutional provision exists to maintain a balance of power and prevent individual states from forming agreements that could affect national coherence or security without federal oversight. As a result, for any interstate compact to be valid and enforceable, it must receive consent from Congress, which can involve reviewing the compact for its potential impacts. This requirement is fundamental to preserving the constitutional framework of federalism and ensuring collaboration among states occurs within a structured and supervised environment.

In contrast, the other options either misinterpret the requirements for interstate compacts or suggest processes not mandated by the Constitution.