States' Rights and the Division of Powers

In Mulloch v. Maryland (1819), a bank manager refused to pay an unfair state tax on a federal bank. He was convicted in Maryland, but the supreme court reversed the decision. It ruled that the state tax would have had the effect of making state law superior to the federal government. This ruling is an example of which clause in the Constitution?
a. Necessary and Proper Clause
b. Supremacy Clause
c. Expressed Powers Clause
d. Federal Clause

I'm a little confused. I think it is B., but there is a strong possibility I am wrong. Help is definitely appreciated!

I agree with B.

This site explains the Supremacy Clause.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/supremacy_clause

Okay, can you explain it to me? Sorry I am just really confused.

Okay thanks!!

You're welcome.

B was the correct answer, thanks!

To determine which clause in the Constitution is being referred to in the case of Mulloch v. Maryland, let's go through the options.

a. The Necessary and Proper Clause, also known as the Elastic Clause or the Implied Powers Clause, grants Congress the authority to make laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers. However, this clause is not directly relevant to the issue of state tax and federal law superiority, so it can be eliminated.

b. The Supremacy Clause, found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, establishes that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land, overriding conflicting state laws. This clause states that federal law "shall be the supreme Law of the Land" and that "the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding." Given that the Mulloch v. Maryland case dealt with the question of whether state law could undermine federal law, the Supremacy Clause certainly seems relevant.

c. The Expressed Powers Clause is not a commonly used term to refer to any specific clause in the Constitution. It is possible that it is being confused here with the Enumerated Powers or the Necessary and Proper Clause.

d. The Federal Clause is not a recognized term in relation to the Constitution and does not correspond to any specific clause.

Based on the above analysis, it appears that the correct answer is b. Supremacy Clause, as it directly addresses the issue of state law versus federal law supremacy.