The Supreme Court's final jurisdiction over constitutional questions is derived from which document?

The Supreme Court's final jurisdiction over constitutional questions is derived from which document?

• A. The United States Constitution
• B. A federal statute
• C. A presidential proclamation
• D. A state constitution

Answer: (A)

The ability of the Supreme Court to rule on constitutional questions comes from the United States Constitution itself. Article III sets up the federal judiciary and gives it the authority to interpret laws in cases involving constitutional issues. The Supremacy Clause then makes the Constitution the supreme law of the land, so federal courts have the final say on constitutional meaning. In practice, judicial review—established by Marbury v. Madison—confirms that the Court can strike down laws or actions that violate the Constitution. So the ultimate authority over constitutional questions traces to the United States Constitution, not to a statute, a presidential proclamation, or a state constitution.

The ability of the Supreme Court to rule on constitutional questions comes from the United States Constitution itself. Article III sets up the federal judiciary and gives it the authority to interpret laws in cases involving constitutional issues. The Supremacy Clause then makes the Constitution the supreme law of the land, so federal courts have the final say on constitutional meaning. In practice, judicial review—established by Marbury v. Madison—confirms that the Court can strike down laws or actions that violate the Constitution. So the ultimate authority over constitutional questions traces to the United States Constitution, not to a statute, a presidential proclamation, or a state constitution.