Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act

This bill falls within the constitutional authority of Congress to provide for the common defense and to regulate commerce with foreign nations. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and general welfare, and Clause 3 grants the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. The establishment of a strategic defense innovation working group with a foreign nation is a proper exercise of these powers, as it promotes the security and economic interests of the United States. Federalist No. 23 emphasizes the necessity of vesting the federal gover…

This bill purports to establish a formal federal working group between the United States and a foreign nation regarding defense innovation. The Constitution vests the power to engage in foreign affairs and to enter into treaties with foreign nations solely in the Executive and Senate under Article II, Section 2. A statutory working group that effectively creates a new channel for joint military planning and resource allocation is not among the enumerated powers of Congress. The Tenth Amendment reserves to the States or to the People all powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitu…

The establishment of a United States-Ukraine Strategic Defense Innovation Working Group falls within the ambit of Congress's enumerated powers to provide for the common defense and to regulate commerce with foreign nations, as well as the Necessary and Proper Clause. However, such a body must not encroach upon the President's exclusive authority as Commander in Chief and chief diplomat in conducting foreign relations. The working group should remain advisory, with no binding authority or independent power to commit the United States to any treaty or military obligation. Furthermore, the potent…

The Constitution vests in Congress the power to provide for the common defense and to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the enumerated powers. The establishment of a United States-Ukraine Strategic Defense Innovation Working Group is a means to advance the national defense and to foster cooperation in defense innovation, which falls within the ambit of Congress's authority under Article I, Section 8. As held in McCulloch v. Maryland, the government is one of enumerated powers, but the means to execute those powers may be chosen by Congress so long as…