What does the Supremacy Clause establish?

• A. The Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, over state laws.
• B. State constitutions are supreme over federal law
• C. The President's power is supreme over Congress
• D. Local ordinances are controlling within states

Answer: (A)

The Supremacy Clause establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made under the Constitution, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, and judges in every state are bound by them even when state laws or constitutions conflict. This guarantees national consistency by giving federal law priority over state law in any area the federal government has acted. For example, if a state passes a law that disagrees with a valid federal statute or treaty, the federal provision wins. The clause is found in Article VI and is the reason federal authority can preempt conflicting state rules. It does not say that state constitutions are supreme, nor that the President’s power is above Congress, nor that local ordinances control within a state.