Certified Legal Assistant Paralegal (CLA-CP) Practice Test 2026 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Federal statutes are subordinate to the Constitution, meaning that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. This principle is established by the Supremacy Clause found in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, which states that the Constitution, along with federal laws made pursuant to it, takes precedence over state laws and constitutions. Therefore, if a federal statute conflicts with the Constitution, the statute is rendered invalid. This hierarchy ensures that the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution are protected against infringement by legislative acts.

In contrast, the other options do not align with this legal framework. The notion of equal standing suggests that both would have the same authority, which undermines the Constitution's status as the highest legal authority. The idea that federal statutes could override the Constitution fundamentally contradicts the principle of constitutional supremacy. Similarly, stating that federal statutes are independent of the Constitution misrepresents the integral role the Constitution plays in governing the enactment and enforcement of federal laws.