Question

Review this quote from the decision in Marbury v. Madison.

It is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is.

How does this excerpt summarize the case?

Responses

It explains why the Supreme Court ruled in favor of William Marbury in the case of Marbury v. Madison.
It explains why the Supreme Court ruled in favor of William Marbury in the case of Marbury v. Madison.

It explains that the Supreme Court should decide whether a law or action is constitutional.
It explains that the Supreme Court should decide whether a law or action is constitutional.

It explains that the judicial department has powers that go beyond the limits of the Constitution.
It explains that the judicial department has powers that go beyond the limits of the Constitution.

It explains why the judicial department ruled that the Judiciary Act of 1789 was constitutional.
It explains why the judicial department ruled that the Judiciary Act of 1789 was constitutional.

Answer 1

Correct choice: "It explains that the Supreme Court should decide whether a law or action is constitutional."

Why: The line asserts that it is the judiciary's duty to interpret the law and determine whether statutes or government actions conform to the Constitution. In Marbury v. Madison (1803) the Court used that principle to establish judicial review — it struck down a portion of the Judiciary Act of 1789 as unconstitutional and denied Marbury’s writ of mandamus.