Legal Definitions - supreme law of the land

Definition: The supreme law of the land refers to the highest law in the United States. It includes:

1. The U.S. Constitution
2. Acts of Congress made in accordance with the U.S. Constitution
3. U.S. treaties

The Supremacy Clause in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution declares that the Constitution, all laws made in furtherance of the Constitution, and all treaties made under the authority of the United States are the “supreme law of the land” and enjoy legal superiority over any conflicting provision of a state constitution or law.

Examples:

• If a state law conflicts with the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution prevails as the supreme law of the land.
• If a U.S. treaty conflicts with a state law, the treaty prevails as the supreme law of the land.
• If an act of Congress conflicts with the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution prevails as the supreme law of the land.

These examples illustrate how the supreme law of the land works in practice. It ensures that the U.S. Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws and treaties, providing a consistent and unified legal framework across the country.