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" 000403 -3- ~fter the compact is negotiated and ratified by the signatory states, it must be sent to Congress to determine whether it constitutes such an arrangement be- tween states as comes within the permissive class of "agreement or compact" under the constitution. Favorable action by the Congress on this question does not bind the Federal government to the terms of the compact but merely removes constitutional inhibition against states entering into agreements or compacts. The United States may be bound to the terms of an interstate compact by a pro- vision contained in the compact that the ratification of the signatory states is binding on condition that Congress in granting its consent shall pass legislation expressly binding the United States to designated cmnpact terms. This method was employed in the compact between Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska in the Republican River Compact. States may enter into a compact without first obtaining the consent of Congress to negotiate. In that event, the necessary subsequent Congressional approval of the compact arrangement between the signato~J st~tes as not violating the constitutional inhibition implies previous consent, The idea expressed in a recent report that ratification of an interstate compact by a signatory state might well be accomplished through an election by affected water users, organi~ed into districts, is without any legal basis whatsoever in our dual (Federal and State) form of government. The Federal constitution authori~es a state, not groups .tithin a state, to enter into a compact with another state vnth the consent of Congress, The state in performing such a function acts as a quasi-sovereign, and its cmrrnitments thus made express of the wilutand bind all of its citizens. In this matter the intereBts of the entire state and all of its citizens, not that of a particular s\,gment. of its people, are involved.