Which statement best describes federal law in conflicts with state law?

Which statement best describes federal law in conflicts with state law?

• A. Federal law overrides state law
• B. State law overrides federal law
• C. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land
• D. Local ordinances override state law

Answer: (A)

Federal law takes precedence when it conflicts with state law, because the Constitution establishes the federal government and its laws as the supreme law of the land. The Supremacy Clause makes clear that constitutional provisions, federal statutes, and treaties trump conflicting state laws. So, if a federal law is valid and there’s a true conflict, the federal rule controls and state law must yield. Local ordinances cannot override state law, since state law governs within each state unless federal law preempts it. The idea that the Constitution itself is the supreme law underpins why federal statutes override conflicting state rules.

Federal law takes precedence when it conflicts with state law, because the Constitution establishes the federal government and its laws as the supreme law of the land. The Supremacy Clause makes clear that constitutional provisions, federal statutes, and treaties trump conflicting state laws. So, if a federal law is valid and there’s a true conflict, the federal rule controls and state law must yield. Local ordinances cannot override state law, since state law governs within each state unless federal law preempts it. The idea that the Constitution itself is the supreme law underpins why federal statutes override conflicting state rules.