Nullification
In U.S. political history, nullification refers to the claim that a state may declare a federal law invalid or refuse to enforce it within the state. The Supreme Court has rejected the idea that individual states may unilaterally invalidate federal law.
In U.S. political history, nullification refers to the claim that a state may declare a federal law invalid or refuse to enforce it within the state. The Supreme Court has rejected the idea that individual states may unilaterally invalidate federal law.
Example: In McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the Supreme Court rejected Maryland’s attempt to tax the federally chartered Bank of the United States and affirmed federal supremacy within the Constitution’s sphere.
Common misconception: A state can nullify a federal law simply by passing a state resolution. Under the Supremacy Clause, conflicting valid federal law prevails, and constitutional disputes are resolved through the legal system.
Sources: https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artVI-C2-1/ALDE_00013388/; https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/17/316/