Question

Which scenario could occur without the supremacy clause?

A the federal government could intervene if a state passed a law denying a group of equal rights
B the judicial branch could not review a federal law changing the way congress operates
C a state could ignore the nineteenth amendment and pass a law forbidding women to vote
D a state would have no say in how to conduct trade with other states

Answer 1

Scenario C, a state ignoring the nineteenth amendment and passing a law forbidding women to vote, could occur without the supremacy clause.

Explanation:

The supremacy clause, found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the US Constitution, establishes that federal law is the supreme law of the land, and state laws that conflict with federal law are invalid. Without the supremacy clause, states could potentially pass laws that conflict with federal law or the US Constitution and have them be considered valid.

In the given scenario, the nineteenth amendment to the US Constitution grants women the right to vote, but without the supremacy clause, a state could potentially pass a law denying women that right, even though it would conflict with federal law.

Answer 2

The correct option is C.
The supremacy clause states that the under the constitution of the United States of America, the federal laws are superior to state laws, therefore in time of conflict between the federal and the state law, the state law has to bow to federal law. Thus, the supremacy clause is used when federal and state laws are in conflict.