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Supremacy Clause

The Supremacy Clause is a constitutional provision in the United States that establishes the highest authority of federal law over state law.

Meaning and Usage

The Supremacy Clause, found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution, ensures that the federal government's laws and treaties take precedence over any conflicting state laws, making it a fundamental principle of federalism.

Senses and Usages

• Legal Sense: In the legal sense, the Supremacy Clause resolves conflicts between federal and state laws, giving federal law supremacy in such cases. For example:
  • The Supreme Court invoked the Supremacy Clause to strike down a state law that conflicted with a federal statute.
  • Under the Supremacy Clause, the federal government has the authority to regulate interstate commerce.

Sample Sentences

1. The Supremacy Clause ensures that the United States remains a unified nation under a single system of laws.
2. The governor challenged the constitutionality of the federal law, but it was upheld by the court due to the Supremacy Clause.

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