Supremacy Clause
Definition
The Supremacy Clause refers to the provision in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the supreme law of the land, overriding any conflicting state laws.
Analogy
Think of the Supremacy Clause as a referee in a basketball game. Just like how a referee's decision is final and overrides any conflicting decisions made by individual players or coaches, the Supremacy Clause establishes that federal laws and treaties take precedence over state laws.
Related terms
Federalism: This term refers to the division of power between the federal government and state governments.
Enumerated Powers: These are powers specifically granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.
Dual Sovereignty: This concept recognizes that both federal and state governments have separate authority within their respective spheres.
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