What is the test for constitutional consistency in the interpretation of the Fifth Amendment with respect to equal protection?

8. "It is a basic rule of statutory construction `that one provision should not be interpreted in a way which is internally contradictory or that renders other provisions of the same statute inconsistent or meaningless.' " United States v. Powell, 6 F.3d 611, 614 (9th Cir. 1993) (internal citation omitted).

8. "It is a basic rule of statutory construction `that one provision should not be interpreted in a way which is internally contradictory or that renders other provisions of the same statute inconsistent or meaningless.' " United States v. Powell, 6 F.3d 611, 614 (9th Cir. 1993) (internal citation omitted).

9. "The Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment precludes the imposition of punishment based on arbitrary distinctions, and, in the sentencing context, `essentially duplicates' an argument based on equal protection." United States v. Fine, 975 F.2d 596, 604 (9th Cir. 1992).

9. "The Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment precludes the imposition of punishment based on arbitrary distinctions, and, in the sentencing context, `essentially duplicates' an argument based on equal protection." United States v. Fine, 975 F.2d 596, 604 (9th Cir. 1992).