What is the Supremacy Clause?

• A. The Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, over state laws.
• B. States can override federal law if it conflicts with state interests.
• C. Local ordinances are the supreme law in local matters.
• D. The President's executive orders supersede state constitutions.

Answer: (A)

The Supremacy Clause says the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, over state laws. That means when a state law conflicts with a valid federal law or a treaty, the federal provision wins and state officials must follow it, just as federal courts apply it. This creates a single national framework and prevents states from trumping national authority in areas where the federal government has acted. It’s grounded in Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution and applies to laws and treaties made under the Constitution’s authority.

So, a state cannot override a federal law, local rules don’t supersede federal or state law in general, and executive orders don’t automatically trump state constitutions—only valid federal law or treaty takes precedence when there’s a conflict.