Question

directions: read each section and gather the information
constitutions

1. the united states constitution is often called “the supreme law of the land.” that means no law in the

country can violate the rules, laws, and rights set forth in the constitution. some parts of the constitution give
specific laws that apply everywhere in the united states. for example, if someone commits a crime in one
state and then flees to another state, the constitution allows the criminal to be extradited, or sent back, to the
state where the crime was committed. other parts of the constitution either authorize (allow) types of laws that
may be passed or forbid (ban) certain types of laws. for example, the constitution allows congress to pass
laws about how business is conducted across state lines
why is the us constitution called the
supreme law of the land?

1. the constitution forbids congress from passing laws that limit people’s freedom of religion. the bottom line

is that no law can be made in the u.s. unless the constitution allows it to be made. each state also has its own
constitution that works the same way as the u.s. constitution, but only applies to that state. many laws in your
state come from your state’s constitution and do not apply outside your state. even so, laws in state
constitutions must not violate the u.s. constitution
what type of laws are forbidden based on
the constitution?

compare/contrast us and state
constitutions

statutes (federal)

1. the constitution gives congress permission to pass laws about a limited number of topics. when congress

passes a law, that law is called a statute. statutes passed by congress apply to the entire united states. all of
the thousands of statutes passed by congress are collected together and organized by subject. the collection
is called the united states code.
what is a statute?

who is affected by laws passed by
congress?
a. local area
b. state
c. entire country

what is the collection of statutes called?

statutes (state & local)

1. state constitutions also authorize state legislatures to pass state laws. the state laws are also called

statutes, and they only apply inside the state. often, state statutes allow local governments to pass their own
laws. local laws are usually called ordinances, and they only apply within local boundaries, such as within a
city or county. examples include sprinklers and trash pick-up.
compare/contrast federal and state
statutes

what are ordinances? examples?

Explanation:

1. The text states that the US Constitution is called the supreme law of the land because no law in the country can violate the rules, laws, and rights set forth in it.
2. The Constitution forbids Congress from passing laws that limit people's freedom of religion.
3. The US Constitution is the supreme law for the whole country. State constitutions work similarly to the US Constitution but only apply to their respective states, and state laws must not violate the US Constitution.
4. A statute is a law passed by Congress.
5. Laws passed by Congress affect the entire country (option c).
6. The collection of statutes is called the United States Code.
7. Federal statutes (passed by Congress) apply to the entire country. State statutes (passed by state legislatures) apply only inside the state. Local laws (ordinances) apply within local boundaries like a city or county, e.g., sprinklers and trash pick - up regulations.

Answer:

1. Because no law in the country can violate the rules, laws, and rights set forth in it.
2. Laws that limit people's freedom of religion.
3. US Constitution: supreme law for the whole country. State Constitutions: similar to US Constitution but only for their state, and state laws must not violate the US Constitution.
4. A law passed by Congress.
5. c. Entire country
6. The United States Code.
7. Federal statutes: apply to the entire country. State statutes: apply only inside the state. Local laws (ordinances): apply within local boundaries (e.g., sprinklers and trash pick - up regulations).