What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is referred to as the supreme law of the land in the United States. This designation means that it establishes the framework for the federal government and serves as the highest authority in legal matters. Any law passed at the federal or state level must align with the principles and stipulations outlined in the Constitution. If there are conflicts between state laws or constitutions and the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution prevails. This principle is known as the supremacy clause, found in Article VI of the Constitution, which affirms its position over all other laws and treaties.

The Bill of Rights, while a crucial component of the Constitution, specifically enumerates individual rights and freedoms but does not have the overarching authority that the Constitution itself holds. Federal laws are created within the framework established by the Constitution but are subordinate to it. The Declaration of Independence, while historically significant, primarily outlines the reasons for independence from British rule and does not serve as a governing legal document in the same way that the Constitution does.