Understanding the Supremacy Clause: Examples in Modern Law

📚 Quick Study Guide

🏛️ The Supremacy Clause (Article VI of the Constitution) establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land. ⚖️ It means that state laws are invalid if they conflict with federal laws. 📜 Federal laws must be constitutional to be supreme. 🤝 Treaties made by the federal government are also supreme. 🏛️ Courts interpret the Supremacy Clause when conflicts arise between federal and state laws. 🚦 Preemption occurs when federal law displaces state law, either expressly or impliedly. 💡 Understanding the Supremacy Clause is crucial for understanding the balance of power between the federal government and the states.

📝 Practice Quiz

1. Which article of the Constitution contains the Supremacy Clause?
   1. Article I
   2. Article II
   3. Article VI
   4. Article VII
2. What happens when a state law conflicts with a federal law according to the Supremacy Clause?
   1. The state law is supreme.
   2. The federal law is supreme.
   3. Both laws are valid.
   4. The conflict is decided by the states.
3. For a federal law to be considered supreme, what must it be?
   1. Approved by a majority of states.
   2. Constitutional.
   3. Passed by the Senate only.
   4. Unanimously supported by the Supreme Court.
4. What is the concept where federal law displaces state law known as?
   1. Nullification
   2. Preemption
   3. Interposition
   4. Succession
5. Which of the following is also considered the supreme law of the land according to the Supremacy Clause?
   1. State Constitutions
   2. Executive Orders
   3. Treaties made by the federal government
   4. Local Ordinances
6. In a dispute involving the Supremacy Clause, who typically interprets the clause's application?
   1. The President
   2. Congress
   3. The Supreme Court
   4. State Governors
7. A state law requires all public schools to start the day with a prayer. Federal courts have ruled mandatory prayer in public schools unconstitutional. Which law prevails?
   1. The state law, as education is a state matter.
   2. The federal court ruling, based on the Supremacy Clause.
   3. The law that was enacted first.
   4. The law that has the most public support.