What does the Supremacy Clause establish?

• A. State laws are supreme over federal
• B. Federal law is the supreme law of the land, taking precedence over state laws and constitutions
• C. Local ordinances have final say
• D. The President's powers supersede Congress

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that federal law takes precedence over state law. The Supremacy Clause, located in Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, declares that the Constitution, federal statutes, and treaties are the supreme law of the land. Because of that, when a federal law conflicts with a state law or a state constitution, the federal provision controls, and judges in every state are bound to follow it. This is what allows federal authority to override inconsistent state rules. It does not mean the President’s powers surpass Congress, nor does it let local ordinances trump federal law; those would be conflicts the Supremacy Clause resolves in favor of federal law.