What is the supreme law of the land?

The supreme law of the land is the Constitution. This distinction is established in Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, often referred to as the Supremacy Clause. It asserts that the Constitution, along with federal laws made pursuant to it, takes precedence over state laws and even state constitutions. The Constitution serves as the foundational legal document for the United States, outlining the framework of government, the separation of powers, and the rights of citizens.

The Declaration of Independence, while a significant historical document, primarily articulates the colonies’ reasons for seeking independence from Britain, rather than serving as a governing document. The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, protects individual liberties but is part of the broader Constitution rather than being a standalone supreme authority. The Articles of Confederation, which preceded the Constitution, were replaced due to their weaknesses; they did not provide an effective framework for governance and thus do not hold legal supremacy today.