What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is referred to as the supreme law of the land because it establishes the framework for the federal government and defines the rights of the citizens. It is the foundational document that outlines how government operates and delineates the powers and responsibilities of different branches of government. This authority is reinforced by the Supremacy Clause, found in Article VI of the Constitution, which states that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties made under its authority are the highest form of law in the United States.

The other options, while important historical documents, serve different purposes. The Declaration of Independence, for example, articulated the colonies' reasons for seeking independence from Britain but does not govern how the country operates. The Bill of Rights contains the first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual liberties, but it is not a standalone governing document. Federal laws are created based on the authority provided by the Constitution, but they exist within the framework that the Constitution establishes. Hence, none can claim the overarching authority that the Constitution holds as the supreme law.