The Lend-Lease Act: Passivity Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Section.Subsection.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to change existing law relating to the use of the land and naval forces of the United States, except insofar as such use relates to the manufacture, procurement, and repair of defense articles, the communication of information and other noncombatant purposes enumerated in this Act. (10)

There are a lot of these "nothing in the Act" statements going on here, which tells us that the writers were being extremely careful about how they put together this text, probably because one tiny slip up could trigger an unwanted declaration of war. Too bad the Germans considered the Lend-Lease arrangement a declaration of war anyway.

Quote #5

If any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to any circumstance shall be held invalid, the validity of the remainder of the Act and the applicability of such provision to other circumstances shall not be affected thereby. (11)

Unlike a line of dominos, in which the tipping of one brings down the entire arrangement, the Lend-Lease Act is far more stable. This clause at the end of the text is sort of like an insurance policy to prevent to the possible collapse of the entire bill in case one part of it goes sour. Smart move for a tricky maneuver.