What does article 6 clause 2 of the Constitution mean?
Asked by: Prof. Yazmin Rutherford IV | Last update: January 30, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (14 votes)
Established under Article VI, Paragraph 2 of the U.S. Constitution, the Supremacy Clause enables the federal government to enforce treaties, create a central bank, and enact legislation without interference from the states.
What is the Article 6 Clause 2 of the Constitution?
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any ...
What does article 6 of the Constitution mean in simple terms?
Article VI of the US Constitution ensures the nation's debts are honored, establishes the Constitution as the supreme law, and forbids religious tests for office. It's the glue that binds the country, ensuring continuity, supremacy, and religious freedom.
What is Section 6 Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution?
Background. The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines declares: The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable. (Article II, Section 6), and, No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
What does the Constitution say in article VI clause 2 regarding state and local governmental activity?
The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article VI, clause 2) states that the Constitution, treaties, and federal law "shall be the supreme Law of the land." In interpreting this clause, the Supreme Court has formulated the doctrine of preemption, under which federal law supersedes conflicting state measures.
Constitution Line by Line: Article 6 Clause 2- Hierarchy of Law in the United States
Does federal immigration law supersede state law?
Because the federal government has primary authority over immigration matters, it is able to override state and local laws that conflict with federal immigration policy.
What does Article VI of the Constitution prohibit?
After requiring all federal and state legislators and officers to swear or affirm to support the federal Constitution, Article VI specifies that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” This prohibition, commonly known as the No Religious Test ...
What does Article 6 Section 2 clearly state?
Established under Article VI, Paragraph 2 of the U.S. Constitution, the Supremacy Clause enables the federal government to enforce treaties, create a central bank, and enact legislation without interference from the states.
Who determines presidential disability?
If Congress decides by a two-thirds vote of both houses that the President is unable to discharge the duties of the office, the Vice President continues as Acting President until the disability is resolved.
Is atheism protected by the Constitution?
Is atheism protected under the First Amendment? Yes. The First Amendment prohibits the government from punishing citizens for professing and exercising their religious beliefs—including a lack of religious belief.
Why is article 6 of the Constitution so important?
Often referred to as the supremacy clause, this article says that when state law is in conflict with federal law, federal law must prevail.
What does Article 6 say about religious tests?
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a ...
What are the key principles of Article 6?
The following three principles should guide all actors engaging in Article 6 activities: Principle One: Paris-aligned use of mitigation outcomes. Principle Two: Generation of high-quality mitigation outcomes; and. Principle Three: Robust accounting and transparency in engaging in Article 6.
What is article 6 of the Constitution in simple terms?
Article VI of the U.S. Constitution establishes the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the "supreme Law of the Land," overriding state laws, and requires all federal and state officials to swear an oath to support it, while also prohibiting religious tests for public office. It also confirms that the new government assumes debts from the previous Articles of Confederation.
How does article I section 6 clause 2 of the federal Constitution place limits on the power of government officeholders?
Finally, and most importantly, Article I, Section 6 provides that “no person holding any office under the United States, shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office.” This provision is of profound structural importance since it prevents the appointment of powerful Senators or Congressmen to the ...
Can a state ignore a federal law?
Thus, the federal courts have held that under the Constitution, federal law is controlling over state law, and the final power to determine whether federal laws are unconstitutional has been delegated to the federal courts. The courts therefore have held that the states do not have the power to nullify federal law.
Who can declare the President incompetent?
A president can be declared incompetent under Section 4 of the 25th Amendment, a process initiated by the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet (or another designated body) sending a written declaration to Congress, which then makes the final decision if the President contests it, requiring a two-thirds vote in both houses to remove them. This "involuntary" removal process has never been invoked, though Section 3 (voluntary transfer of power) has been used.
Who was the only disabled president?
Roosevelt won the 1932 presidential election in a landslide, becoming the first (and, as of 2025, only) physically disabled person to be President of the United States. Before he moved into the White House, ramps were added to make it wheelchair-friendly.
What is one of two things that must happen if the President is disabled from performing his duties for the vice president to be acting president?
If two-thirds of both houses of Congress agree that the president is unable to perform their duties, the vice president continues as acting president; otherwise, the president resumes their duties.
What does article 6 clause 2 say?
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any ...
Can a President change the Constitution?
The Constitution does not give a president the power to violate the Constitution, create or change congressional statutes, or override U.S. Supreme Court decisions—no matter what the EOs say.
How can a senator be removed from office?
Article I, section 5, of the U.S. Constitution provides that each house of Congress may "punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member." Since 1789 the Senate has expelled only 15 members.
What is the highest law in our country?
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. All laws in the United States need to follow the Constitution.
Do state constitutions mention God?
Those who question the permissibility of official acknowledgements of God might be surprised to learn that the preambles of forty-five of the fifty state constitutions expressly invoke God. The practice is common in both liberal and conservative states and is equally prevalent in all regions of the country.
What is the Article 6 law?
Article 6 protects your right to a fair trial. It also ensures you have access to the courts and gives you the right to bring a civil case. Article 6 doesn't give you an automatic right to free legal representation in civil cases.