- According to the Constitution, the states must send at least one representative, elected by the people of the state, to the U.S. Congress. The number of representatives depends on the population of the state, determined every 10 years with a census. If the number of citizens is lower than 30,000, that state sends one representative. Any vacancy must be filled by election from that state.
- Each state, no matter what the population, must send two senators to the U.S. Senate. Since 1913, those senators must win an election in that state. Prior to 1913 senators were appointed by state legislators. Should a senate seat become vacant, it is the duty of the state's governor to appoint a person to fill the position.
- States are not allowed to charge a tariff or tax for goods coming or leaving the state. Nor are individual states to go against the foreign trade policies of the federal government, including signing treaties and charging additional fees or duty taxes. If any are charged, those monies must go to the federal government.
- States are required to respect laws and licenses from other states. They are to treat each citizen, whether it is their own resident or one from another state, equally without discrimination. However, if a fugitive from one state is found in another state, the governor of the second state must give over the fugitive.
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