<P> The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution ( Article VI , Clause 2 ) establishes that the Constitution , federal laws made pursuant to it , and treaties made under its authority , constitute the supreme law of the land . It provides that state courts are bound by the supreme law ; in case of conflict between federal and state law , the federal law must be applied . Even state constitutions are subordinate to federal law . In essence , it is a conflict - of - laws rule specifying that certain federal acts take priority over any state acts that conflict with federal law . In this respect , the Supremacy Clause follows the lead of Article XIII of the Articles of Confederation , which provided that `` Every State shall abide by the determination of the United States in Congress Assembled , on all questions which by this confederation are submitted to them . '' A constitutional provision announcing the supremacy of federal law , the Supremacy Clause assumes the underlying priority of federal authority , at least when that authority is expressed in the Constitution itself . No matter what the federal government or the states might wish to do , they have to stay within the boundaries of the Constitution . This makes the Supremacy Clause the cornerstone of the whole American political structure . </P>
<P> The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution ( Article VI , Clause 2 ) establishes that the Constitution , federal laws made pursuant to it , and treaties made under its authority , constitute the supreme law of the land . It provides that state courts are bound by the supreme law ; in case of conflict between federal and state law , the federal law must be applied . Even state constitutions are subordinate to federal law . In essence , it is a conflict - of - laws rule specifying that certain federal acts take priority over any state acts that conflict with federal law . In this respect , the Supremacy Clause follows the lead of Article XIII of the Articles of Confederation , which provided that `` Every State shall abide by the determination of the United States in Congress Assembled , on all questions which by this confederation are submitted to them . '' A constitutional provision announcing the supremacy of federal law , the Supremacy Clause assumes the underlying priority of federal authority , at least when that authority is expressed in the Constitution itself . No matter what the federal government or the states might wish to do , they have to stay within the boundaries of the Constitution . This makes the Supremacy Clause the cornerstone of the whole American political structure . </P>
what does the constitution say is the ' supreme law of the land
what does the constitution say is the ' supreme law of the land
the Constitution , federal laws made pursuant to it , and treaties made under its authority
the Constitution , federal laws made pursuant to it , and treaties made under its authority