Which clause establishes that federal law supersedes state law?

• A. Supremacy Clause
• B. Full Faith and Credit Clause
• C. Due Process Clause
• D. Commerce Clause

Answer: (A)

The Supremacy Clause is the rule that makes federal law supreme over state law. It’s found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution and states that the Constitution, federal laws enacted pursuant to it, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, binding on all state and local governments. When a state law conflicts with federal law, the federal provision controls, a principle called preemption. Preemption can be explicit, if Congress says a federal rule overrides state law, or implied, if the federal scheme is so comprehensive that it leaves no room for state regulation or if applying state law would frustrate federal objectives.

The other clauses don’t establish this federal-state hierarchy. The Full Faith and Credit Clause requires states to recognize each other’s public acts, records, and judicial proceedings, not a general rule about which level of government wins in a conflict. The Due Process Clause protects individuals’ rights to fair procedure and fundamental fairness. The Commerce Clause provides Congress with power to regulate interstate commerce, not the supremacy relationship between state and federal law.