loving argued january decided june general found petitioner loving army private guilty premeditated murder felony murder article uniform code military justice ucmj section finding three aggravating premeditated murder committed robbery rule rcm premeditated murder committed second murder also proved single trial rcm sentenced loving death commander convened approved findings sentence army military review appeals armed forces affirmed rejecting loving attack promulgation executive order aggravating factors rcm contends eighth amendment doctrine require congress president make fundamental policy determination respecting factors warrant death penalty held assumption furman georgia subsequent cases apply crime sentence constitution requires aggravating factors loving challenges eighth amendment military capital sentencing scheme must genuinely narrow class persons eligible death penalty must reasonably justify imposition severe sentence accused compared others found guilty murder see lowenfield phelps narrowing achieved statute article authorizes death penalty two four types murder therein specified premeditated felony murder section whereas intentional murder without premeditation murder resulting wanton dangerous conduct punishable death section moreover article terms permits death penalty felony murder even accused intent kill killing eighth amendment permit death imposed circumstances enmund florida additional aggravating factors establishing higher culpability necessary article constitutional validity see lowenfield supra pp president prescription challenged aggravating factors violate principle pp fundamental precept delegation doctrine strand jurisprudence lawmaking function belongs congress art section may conveyed another branch entity field clark principle mean however congress make rule prospective force although may delegate power make law necessarily involves discretion law shall congress may delegate others authority discretion execute law pursuance terms pp rejects loving argument congress lacks power delegate president authority prescribe aggravating factors capital murder cases analysis english constitutional history historical necessities events instructed framers demonstrates art section cl empowers congress make rules government regulation land naval forces grant exclusive nondelegable power determine military punishments gives congress flexibility exercise share power times might demand contrary respect owed president commander chief hold may given wide discretion authority thus circumstances presented congress may delegate authority president define aggravating factors permit imposition statutory penalty regulations providing narrowing class eighth amendment requires pp delegate president authority prescribe aggravating factors congress implicit explicit action instance fact congress exercised power delegation enacted articles ucmj section may limitations president may prescribe adjudge punishment forbidden ucmj including penalty death specifically authorized punishment may direct may exceed limits president may prescribe offense empowers president make procedural rules courtsmartial identified congress source presidential authority provide capital aggravating factors together articles give clear authority president promulgate rcm pp loving final even articles construed delegations lack intelligible principle guide president also rejected delegations called exercise judgment discretion lies beyond president traditional authority argument might weight however president duties commander chief require take responsible continuing action superintend military including delegated duty prescribe aggravating factors capital cases interlinked duties already assigned constitution express terms limitations delegation apply entity exercising delegated authority possesses independent authority subject matter see mazurie pp affirmed kennedy delivered opinion rehnquist stevens souter ginsburg breyer joined part scalia joined stevens filed concurring opinion souter ginsburg breyer joined scalia filed opinion concurring part concurring judgment joined thomas filed opinion concurring judgment notice opinion subject formal revision publication preliminary print reports readers requested notify reporter decisions washington typographical formal errors order corrections may made preliminary print goes press end syllabus dwight loving petitioner trial general found loving guilty among offenses premeditated murder felony murder article uniform code military justice ucmj section sentencing phase trial found three aggravating factors premeditated murder second driver committed course robbery rule rcm loving acted triggerman felony murder first driver premeditated murder committed second murder also proven death commander convened approved findings sentence cf section army military review appeals armed forces formerly military appeals cma affirmed relying curtis cma cert denied reject loving claims president lacked authority promulgate aggravating factors enabled sentence death granted certiorari ii next two centuries congress expanded jurisdiction concerned civil courts function places hostilities congress granted jurisdiction capital crimes authority impose death penalty wartime act mar section stat rev stat section art coleman tennessee congress granted military courts general jurisdiction felonies committed service members except murder rape committed within continental peacetime articles war ch section arts stat persons accused latter two crimes turned civilian authorities art stat passage ucmj congress lifted even restriction article ucmj describes four types murder subject jurisdiction two punishable death person subject chapter without justification excuse unlawfully kills human premeditated design kill intends kill inflict great bodily harm engaged act inherently dangerous another evinces wanton disregard human life engaged perpetration attempted perpetration burglary sodomy rape robbery aggravated arson guilty murder shall suffer punishment may direct except found guilty clause shall suffer death imprisonment life may direct section president responded matthews executive order promulgating rcm conformity section rule amended requires unanimous finding accused guilty capital offense death sentence may imposed rcm rule also requires unanimous findings least one aggravating factor present extenuating mitigating circumstances substantially outweighed admissible aggravating circumstances rcm enumerates categories aggravating factors sufficient imposition death penalty rule also provides accused broad latitude present evidence extenuation mitigation entitled members instructed consider evidence deciding upon death sentence scheme loving attacks unconstitutional contends eighth amendment doctrine separation powers require congress president make fundamental policy determination respecting factors warrant death penalty iii although government suggests contrary brief agree loving assumption furman applies case aggravating factors necessary constitutional validity military scheme enacted article authorizes death penalty two four types murder specified premeditated felony murder punishable death section whereas intentional murder without premeditation murder resulting wanton dangerous conduct section statute selection two types murder death penalty however narrow class way consistent cases article terms permits death imposed felony murder even accused intent kill even killing eighth amendment permit death penalty imposed circumstances enmund florida result additional aggravating factors establishing higher culpability necessary save article turn question whether violated principle separation powers president prescribe aggravating factors required eighth amendment iv constitution diffuses power better secure liberty also contemplates practice integrate dispersed powers workable government enjoins upon branches separateness interdependence autonomy reciprocity youngstown sheet tube sawyer jackson concurring deterrence arbitrary tyrannical rule sole reason dispersing federal power among three branches however allocating specific powers responsibilities branch fitted task framers created national government effective accountable article precise rules representation member qualifications bicameralism voting procedure make congress branch capable responsive deliberative lawmaking see chadha supra ill suited task presidency designed prompt faithful execution laws legitimate powers judiciary branch tenure authority independent direct electoral control clear assignment power branch furthermore allows citizen know may called answer making making delicate necessary decisions essential governance another strand jurisprudence delegation doctrine developed prevent congress forsaking duties loving invokes doctrine question authority president promulgate rcm fundamental precept delegation doctrine lawmaking function belongs congress art section may conveyed another branch entity field clark principle mean however congress make rule prospective force burden congress federal rulemaking divert branch pressing issues defeat framers design workable national government thomas jefferson observed nothing embarrassing mischievous great assembly details execution works thomas jefferson ford ed letter carrington see also schechter poultry recognizing necessity adapting legislation complex conditions involving host details national legislature deal directly established long ago congress must permitted delegate others least authority exercise wayman southard wheat true distinction delegation power make law necessarily involves discretion shall conferring authority discretion execution exercised pursuance law first done latter valid objection made field supra quoting cincinnati commissioners clinton county ohio undertaken resolving issues difficult task interpreting clause drawing upon english constitutional history see reid supra parker determining jurisdiction crimes solorio overruling taking issue historical analysis find although grain truth loving historical arguments struggle parliament control military tribunals lessons framers drew complex suggests history require us read clause granting congress exclusive nondelegable power determine military punishments anything appears england found security divided authority parliament times ceding crown task fixing military punishments english experience framers understood necessity balancing efficient military discipline popular control standing army rights soldiers perceived risks inherent assigning task one part government exclusion another knew resulting parliamentary practice delegation framers choice clause give congress flexibility exercise share power times might demand england norman conquest military justice matter royal prerogative rudiments law english military justice first seen written orders issued king various expeditions winthrop example richard issued ordinance outlining six offenses crusaders subject including two punishable death whoever shall slay man shall bound dead man thrown sea shall slay land shall bound dead man buried earth ordinance richard reprinted first comprehensive articles war declared richard ii durham henry mantes decreed capital offenses served military discipline also protected foreign noncombatants ravages war meron henry wars shakespeare laws perspectives law war later middle ages articles war sometimes issued military commanders acting royal commission ensuing centuries winthrop fixed codes least century rather war expedition edict lost force cessation hostilities disbanding army formed pipon collier manual military law rev ed thus royal ordinances governed conduct war common law countenance enforcement military law times peace king courts open persons receive justice according laws land blackstone commentaries see also hale history common law england gray ed describing efforts parliament common law courts limit jurisdiction military courts constable marshal common law made distinction crimes soldiers civilians time peace subjects tried alike civil courts deserted sued breach contract struck officer liable indictment action battery reid supra quoting campbell lives chief justices england triumph civil jurisdiction absolute however political disorders century ushered periods harsh military justice soldiers times civilian rebels punished even put death summary decrees see clode administration justice military martial law hereinafter clode cf petition right car ch protesting abuses military justice brought rule parliamentary law william mary accepted bill rights requiring parliament consent raising keeping armies mutiny act parliament declared general principle noe man may forejudged life limbe subjected kinde punishment martiall law manner judgment peeres according knowne established laws realme decreed soldiers shall mutiny stirr sedition shall desert majestyes service brought exemplary speedy punishment usuall forms law allow shall suffer death punishment shall inflicted wm mary ch one sense loving wants suggest mutiny act sparing exercise parliamentary authority since serious domestic offenses soldiers made capital militia exempted see solorio supra misunderstands mutiny act however arguing bespeaks special solicitude rights soldiers desire parliament exclude executive power military capital punishment mutiny act name suggests came heels mutiny scottish troops loyal james ii macaulay mutiny occurred watershed time menaced great continental powers england come grudging recognition standing army long decried instrument despotism maintained soil mutiny cast high relief dangers polity standing army turned bad macaulay describes sentiment time must regular soldiers regular soldiers must indispensable efficiency security every class kept strict discipline ill disciplined army formidable country paid defend strong line demarcation must therefore drawn soldiers rest community sake public freedom must midst freedom placed despotic rule must subject sharper penal code stringent code procedure administered ordinary tribunals popular suspicion standing army persisted macaulay parliament authorized mutiny acts periods six months year renewed time parliament alter power impose death penalty peacetime offenses throughout next century withdrew power altogether anne ch section regret absence penalty rebellion clode third mutiny acts subjected soldier capital punishment wide array peacetime offenses related political disorder troop discipline short time century parliament allowed crown invest general criminal jurisdiction soldiers even home placing substantive limit penalties imposed jurisdiction superior civil courts propriety general jurisdiction within kingdom questioned jurisdiction withdrawn nevertheless even continued adjust scope military jurisdiction home parliament entrusted broad powers crown define punish military crimes abroad gave statutory sanction crown longstanding practice issuing articles war without limiting kind punishments might imposed act delegated power erect constitute courts martial power try hear determine crime offence articles war inflict penalties sentence judgement majesties dominions beyond seas elsewhere beyond seas except kingdom ireland might done majesties authority beyond seas time war anne ch section winthrop cf duke vogel supra noting parliament gave statutory authority crown promulgate articles war applicable troops stationed england well see solorio discussing provision british articles war providing jurisdiction civilian offenses soldiers loving contends explained elsewhere framers well knew history encountered firsthand abuses military law colonies see reid many veterans revolutionary war however also knew imperatives military discipline distrusted per se military justice dispensed commander unchecked civil power proceedings summary lawless latter evil caused blackstone declare martial law observing modern distinction military martial law meant decrees disciplining soldiers wartime built upon settled principles entirely arbitrary decisions sir matthew hale observes truth reality law something indulged rather allowed law blackstone commentaries see also hale history common law england clode military law early seventeenth century england amounted arbitrary right punish destroy without legal trial assumed delinquent partial security englishmen abuse give parliament preeminent guardian british constitution primacy matters military law fact suggest however legislature power must exclusive parliament various mutiny acts designate times required peacetime offenses soldiers deserved punishment death parliament delegate authority define wartime offenses devise punishments including death crown received delegated power concomitant responsibility prudent exercise lesson english constitutional experience parliament must primary power regulate armed forces determine punishments imposed upon soldiers inconsistent however power divide authority crown conditions might warrant far attempting replicate english system course framers separated powers federal government three branches avoid dangers thought latent inevitable parliamentary structure historical necessities events english constitutional experience though familiar inform understanding purpose meaning constitutional provisions observed experience consult elected freeze usage particular time ages following solorio deprive congress services executive establishing rules governance military including rules capital punishment words alexander hamilton power regulate armed forces like powers related common defense given congress without limitation impossible foresee define extent variety national exigencies corresponding extent variety means may necessary satisfy circumstances endanger safety nations infinite reason constitutional shackles wisely imposed power care committed power coextensive possible combinations circumstances direction councils appointed preside common defence federalist emphasis omitted clause congress like parliament exercises power precedence exclusion executive authority cf eliason pet power executive establish rules regulations government army undoubted power less plenary article powers solorio supra discern reasons congress less capacity make measured appropriate delegations power see skinner pipeline congress may delegate authority taxing power cf lichter general rule constitutional power implies power delegation authority sufficient effect purposes emphasis deleted indeed contrary precedent tradition us impose special limitation particular article power give congress highest deference ordering military affairs rostker goldberg contrary respect owed president commander chief hold may given wide discretion authority decline import clause restrictive nondelegation principle framers left absolute rule furthermore congress delegation authority define criminal punishments upheld delegations whereby executive independent agency defines regulation conduct criminal long congress makes violation regulations criminal offense fixes punishment regulations confin within field covered statute grimaud see also touby exercise delegated authority define crimes may sufficient certain circumstances supply notice defendants constitution requires see kraus circumstances presented may congress delegate authority president define aggravating factors permit imposition statutory penalty regulations providing narrowing class eighth amendment requires congress confronted problem criminal jurisdiction appropriate armed forces colossal size stationed bases many instances small societies unto congress confident procedural protections ucmj gave jurisdiction crime murder cf solorio supra congress may extend jurisdiction criminal offense committed service member period service declared law service members commit premeditated felony murder may sentenced death nothing constitutional scheme traditions prohibit congress delegating prudent proper implementation capital murder statute president acting commander chief yet third provision ucmj indicative congressional intent delegate authority president article ucmj gives president power make procedural rules provides pretrial trial procedures including modes proof courts martial may prescribed president regulations shall far considers practicable apply principles law rules evidence generally recognized trial criminal cases district courts may contrary inconsistent chapter section loving points three articles enacted part ucmj well need eliminating absolute discretion capital sentencing established furman georgia cases followed slight amendments articles made since relevant argues congress understood giving president authority bring otherwise invalid capital murder statute line eighth amendment strictures perhaps furman somehow undo prior delegation act leniency president prior furman may become constitutional necessity thereafter see supra fact remains power prescribe aggravating circumstances resided president since curtis military appeals discerned principle limiting president discretion define aggravating factors capital crimes article namely directive regulations president prescribes must apply principles law generally recognized trial criminal cases district courts may contrary inconsistent chapter section think however question asked whether explicit principle telling president select aggravating factors whether guidance needed given nature delegation officer exercise delegated authority first delegation set within boundaries president may exceed second delegation president role commander chief perhaps explicit guidance select aggravating factors necessary delegation made newly created entity without independent authority area cf mistretta upholding delegation sentencing commission detailed congressional directives channeling agency discretion president duties commander chief however require take responsible continuing action superintend military including delegated duty interlinked duties already assigned president express terms constitution limitations delegation apply entity exercising delegated authority possesses independent authority subject matter mazurie see also export cf swaim president inherent authority convene like military appeals curtis need decide whether president inherent power commander chief prescribe aggravating factors capital cases delegated power congress president acting constitutional office commander chief undoubted competency prescribe factors without guidance military constitutes specialized community governed separate discipline civilian orloff willoughby president entrusted determine limitations conditions punishments best suited preserve special discipline hard deem lawless delegation giving president broad discretion prescribe rules subject early days republic president congressional authorization intervene cases decreed death american articles war art reprinted winthrop contradictory say congress empower limit prospective regulation circumstances courtsmartial impose death sentence specific authority make rules limitation capital punishment contributes towards principled uniform military sentencing regimes intervention provides greater opportunity congressional oversight revision principles vindicated disserved measured cooperation two political branches government contributing lawful objective processes delegation president commander chief authority prescribe aggravating factors respects consistent precepts promulgation rcm well within delegated authority loving sentence lawful judgment appeals armed forces affirmed ordered justice stevens justice souter justice ginsburg justice breyer join concurring justice scalia correctly points petitioner challenged power tribunal try capital offense post important add observation petitioner first victim member armed forces active duty second retired serviceman gave petitioner ride barracks night first killing brief facts appear case petitioner appropriately raised question whether holding solorio extended reach imposition death penalty offense service connection required prior change law effected case stevens concurring judgment question whether service connection requirement obtain capital cases open one solorio capital case solorio review historical materials seem undermine contention military tribunal power try capital offenses must broad power try ones see moreover question substantial one punishment may death particular reasons ensure men women armed forces reason serving country receive less protection constitution provides civilians consequence conclusion service connection requirement satisfied join analysis delegation issue also disposition case joining opinion however thereby accept proposition decision solorio must understood apply capital offenses understand decision question explained remains decided justice scalia justice joins concurring part concurring judgment join opinion except respect part iv thereof join subparts discussion english history features prominently discussion congress power grant authority issue president view irrelevant sure ample precedent cases looking history english question sort us today surveyed history purpose establishing permissible scope jurisdiction military tribunals certain classes defendants offenses see solorio lee madigan reid covert plurality see also parker levy case present question petitioner assert tradition establishes offense nature beyond jurisdiction military courts historically incapable adjudicating capital offenses arguments altogether different congress authorize president establish aggravating factors designed carry narrowing function assume necessary imposition capital sentence even congress give president authority perform function authorization effected statutes upon government relies see consideration arguments profits analysis historical sharing power parliament english throne william mary acceptance bill rights parliament enactment mutiny act see ante presumably significant occurrences students unwritten english constitution written constitution require us trace history provides straightforward fashion congress shall power make rules government regulation land naval forces art section cl notes see ante set forth special limitation congress assigning president task implementing laws enacted pursuant power extraordinary simply infer special limitation upon tasks given president commander chief inherent powers clearly extensive drafting constitution framers seeking replicate america government england indeed set plan government writing part make clear ways different one replaced acknowledges see ante nonetheless goes treat form english government relevant determining limitations upon clause grant power congress leave historical discussion aside true demonstrates scheme assigned responsibility conforms english practices clause requires conformity simply seemed like good arrangement parliament seemed like good arrangement congress well one point definition conceptualization applies portions opinion joined become practice opinions refer unconstitutional delegations legislative authority versus lawful delegations legislative authority fact latter category exist legislative power nondelegable congress delegate article power executive delegate one committees congress assign responsibilities executive executive undertakes assigned responsibilities acts delegate congress agent people point responsibilities assigned become extensive unconstrained congress effect delegated legislative power point excess reached exists lawful delegation delegation justice thomas concurring judgment clear extensive rules developed eighth amendment prosecution civilian capital cases including requirement proof aggravating factors necessarily apply capital prosecutions military cf chappell wallace never held see schick reed therefore certain case even raises delegation question loving constitutionally sentenced death without proof aggravating factors surely claim president violated constitution promulgating aggravating factors afforded protection loving constitutionally entitled like majority conclude government prevails even assume without deciding aggravating factors required context abundant authority according congress president sufficient deference regulation military affairs uphold delegation see need resort nonmilitary delegation doctrine cases reaching conclusion write separately explain concurring judgment case take position respect congress power delegate authority otherwise alter traditional separation powers outside military context light congress express constitutional authority regulate armed forces see art section cl unique nature military mission afforded unparalleled degree deference congressional action governing military see rostker goldberg primary business armies navies fight ready fight wars occasion arise ex rel toth quarles recognized limits competence advancing core national interest see gilligan morgan mindful factors differentiate military society civilian society concluded constitution permits congress legislate greater breadth greater flexibility prescribing rules former shall governed prescribing rules latter parker levy heightened deference extends congressional action also executive action president virtue constitutional role commander chief see const art ii section cl possesses shared authority military discipline see schlesinger ballard responsibility determining best armed forces shall attend th business fighting preparing fight wars rests congress president citations omitted see also brown glines congress found special character military requires civilian authorities accord military commanders flexibility dealing matters affect internal discipline morale construing statute touches matters therefore courts must careful circumscribe authority military commanders extent never intended congress citations omitted many similar cases reviewing legislative executive control military sentencing scheme issue case manner created constitutionally unassailable separate point agree justice scalia majority extended analysis division authority english parliament crown regard regulation military see ante relevance case true frequently consult english history common law attempting determine content constitutional provisions majority fails cite single case relied structure english government attempting understand governmental structure erected framers constitution majority cite historical evidence whether constitutional debates federalist papers source demonstrates framers sought embrace least actively considered english system shared power military majority pointed basis conducting inquiry might willing accept analysis instead majority repeatedly substitutes ipse dixit historical evidence see ante english experience framers knew parliamentary practice delegation framers choice clause give congress flexibility exercise share power ante framers well knew history ante historical necessities events english constitutional experience familiar framers inform understanding purpose meaning constitutional provisions doubt framers well versed english history simplistic purposes constitutional analysis draw conclusions allocation constitutional among branches government mere speculation framers familiarity english military history significance attached footnotes although applicability furman georgia progeny military open question surprisingly makes argument military exempt byzantine rules imposed upon administration death penalty