Which statement about federal supremacy is true?

• A. State law always overrides federal law
• B. The Constitution is supreme, with federal laws and treaties also supreme over state laws
• C. Only treaties are supreme
• D. The President decides supreme matters

Answer: (B)

Federal supremacy comes from the Supremacy Clause: the Constitution is the highest law of the land, and federal laws and treaties made under that Constitution are also the supreme law. That means when a federal law or a ratified treaty covers a situation, it takes precedence over any state law, and a state law that conflicts with it cannot stand. The President enforces laws, but the ultimate determination of what counts as the supreme law is grounded in the Constitution and the courts’ interpretation. Statements that say state law always overrides federal law, that only treaties are supreme, or that the President decides supreme matters are not accurate because they ignore the binding hierarchy set by the Supremacy Clause.