Constitution
Article VI of the United States Constitution
Text from National Archives. Explanation last updated September 29, 2026. How we check this
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In plain English
Article VI does three things: it confirms that the new government will honor the debts of the old one, it declares that the Constitution, federal laws made under it, and treaties are “the supreme Law of the Land,” and it requires officials to swear an oath to support the Constitution, with no religious test for office.
The Supremacy Clause is why valid federal law overrides conflicting state law.
The text
As printed by the source cited at the end of this page, with its original spelling, capitalization and punctuation.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
Explained section by section
Debts
Debts and engagements entered into before the adoption of the Constitution are “as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.” This reassured creditors, including foreign lenders and Revolutionary War bondholders.
The Supremacy Clause
“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby.” The words “in Pursuance thereof” mean that only laws made under the Constitution are supreme. Anti-Federalists such as Brutus quoted this clause as evidence of the danger of national power.
Oaths and no religious test
Members of Congress, state legislators, executive and judicial officers of both the United States and the states are “bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution.” The clause adds that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” The option of an affirmation accommodates those whose faith or conscience prohibits swearing.
Context and current status
The Articles of Confederation had no supremacy clause, and states could and did ignore congressional resolutions. Article VI closes that gap. The debate over it was intense in the ratifying conventions.
Current textual status: unchanged and in force. The Supreme Court has relied on it in cases from McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) to modern preemption disputes.
Terms to know
- Supremacy Clause
- The clause making the Constitution, federal laws made under it, and treaties the supreme law of the land.
- Preemption
- The principle that valid federal law displaces conflicting state law.
- Oath or affirmation
- A formal promise to fulfill an office, with the affirmation as a non-religious alternative.
- Religious test
- A requirement that an officeholder hold or profess a particular religious belief.
Common misconceptions
“Any federal action automatically overrides state law.”
The Supremacy Clause applies to laws “made in Pursuance” of the Constitution, so the federal law must be within a delegated power.
How it connects
Links to related provisions and documents, with the reason each one matters here.
- Amendment 10Powers Reserved to the States and the PeopleThe Tenth Amendment complements the Supremacy Clause by keeping undelegated powers with the states and the people.
- Anti-Federalist No. 84Brutus II on Consolidation and a Bill of RightsBrutus II points to the Supremacy Clause when arguing that a bill of rights was necessary.
- Amendment 1Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly and PetitionThe ban on religious tests for federal office in Article VI complements the First Amendment’s religion clauses.
Study check
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Sources and corrections
- Text: National Archives. Checked against the source on September 29, 2026.National Archives transcription of the engrossed Constitution, with original spelling and capitalization. The signature block and the Convention's interlineation note are not reproduced.
- The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription — National Archives
- The Interactive Constitution: Article VI — National Constitution Center
Educational material, not legal advice. Spotted a mistake? Tell us; corrections change this page’s update date.