Under which clause does national law take precedence over state law?

• A. Supremacy Clause
• B. Commerce Clause
• C. Necessary and Proper Clause
• D. Full Faith and Credit Clause

Answer: (A)

National law takes precedence over state law when it is part of the Constitution, federal statutes, or treaties—the Supremacy Clause. This clause says that the Constitution, federal laws made under its authority, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, and judges in every state are bound by them. When a valid federal law conflicts with a state law, the federal law wins because of this higher status. The other clauses shape federal power or relationships in different ways—what Congress can regulate (Commerce), what it can do to carry out its powers (Necessary and Proper), or how states must recognize each other’s public acts (Full Faith and Credit)—but none of them establish the overarching hierarchy that the Supremacy Clause does.