U.S. Constitution

Article I, §8

The Congress shall have Power …

1. (10) To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

2. (11) To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water….

Article I, §10, cl. 1.

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal….

Article II, §2, cl. 2

[The President] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur….

Article VI, cl. 2

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

Construction Rules

In this section, we examine different rules for construing the Constitution, federal statutes, and state law in conformity with international law.

Constitutional Construction

In the following subsection, we examine different rules of construing U.S. constitutional provisions in conformity with the United States' international legal obligations as a means of incorporating international law.