What does preemption refer to in the legal context?

Preemption in the legal context refers to the principle that federal law takes precedence over state laws when the two are in conflict. This concept is rooted in the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes that federal law is the "supreme law of the land." When Congress passes legislation, it can invalidate state laws that contradict or interfere with federal legislation. This ensures a uniform application of the law across the country, particularly in areas such as interstate commerce, immigration, and environmental regulation.

One common scenario illustrating preemption occurs when states attempt to regulate areas that are already covered by federal legislation. If a state law sets stricter regulations than federal law, the federal law is still enforced, reflecting the principle of preemption. This is crucial for maintaining consistency in regulations that can affect multiple states and for ensuring that national policies are implemented uniformly.

In this context, the other options address concepts that do not directly align with the legal definition of preemption. For instance, the idea of state laws overriding federal laws contradicts the established principle of preemption. Likewise, preferences for international agreements and the review process of legislation pertain to different aspects of law and governance, rather than the specific relationship between state and federal statutes as defined by preemption