Which statement about constitutional supremacy is most accurate?

Which statement about constitutional supremacy is most accurate?

• A. The constitution is the highest law and cannot be overridden by ordinary statutes.
• B. Statutes have priority over the constitution in conflicts.
• C. The president can unilaterally rewrite the constitution.
• D. International treaties always override national constitutions.

Answer: (A)

Constitutional supremacy means the constitution stands above all other laws. It sets the ultimate standard for legality, so any ordinary statute must conform to its provisions. If a law conflicts with the constitution, it can be struck down or deemed invalid. That’s why the statement describing the constitution as the highest law that cannot be overridden by ordinary statutes is the most accurate. The other ideas don’t fit because statutes do not take priority over the constitution, the president cannot unilaterally rewrite the constitution, and international treaties do not automatically override the national constitution—they must be compatible with it and often require additional domestic steps to have effect.

Constitutional supremacy means the constitution stands above all other laws. It sets the ultimate standard for legality, so any ordinary statute must conform to its provisions. If a law conflicts with the constitution, it can be struck down or deemed invalid. That’s why the statement describing the constitution as the highest law that cannot be overridden by ordinary statutes is the most accurate.

The other ideas don’t fit because statutes do not take priority over the constitution, the president cannot unilaterally rewrite the constitution, and international treaties do not automatically override the national constitution—they must be compatible with it and often require additional domestic steps to have effect.