In 3–5 sentences, analyze how the supremacy clause helps to protect individual rights and liberties.

1 answer

The supremacy clause, found in Article VI of the United States Constitution, asserts that federal law takes precedence over any conflicting state laws. This protection ensures that individual rights and liberties, as enshrined in the Constitution and federal laws, are upheld and uniformly applied across the country. By establishing federal law as the supreme law of the land, the supremacy clause prevents states from infringing on citizens’ rights and provides a mechanism to address potential violations through the federal court system. Ultimately, this clause is vital in safeguarding individual rights and maintaining a consistent standard of protection across the nation.