What is the supremacy clause?

The supremacy clause is a vital component of the U.S. legal framework, found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution. It establishes that the Constitution, along with federal laws and treaties made under its authority, is the highest form of law in the United States. This means that when state laws or constitutions conflict with federal laws, the federal law prevails, ensuring a uniform application of laws across the country.

This provision is fundamental to maintaining a cohesive national legal system, as it prevents states from enacting laws that could undermine federal governance and ensures that citizens are subject to the same legal standards regardless of the state in which they reside. It upholds the authority of the federal government in matters of national importance, while still allowing states some degree of autonomy in local affairs.

The other choices, although they pertain to constitutional law, do not accurately describe the supremacy clause. The amendment process (related to choice A), states' capabilities to override federal laws (choice C), and judicial review (choice D) are distinct legal concepts that do not relate to the supremacy clause's central purpose of asserting federal law's priority over conflicting state laws.