What does preemption allow the federal government to do?

Preemption allows the federal government to override state or local actions when there is a conflict between federal and state laws. This principle is rooted in the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law when the two are in disagreement. Essentially, if Congress passes a law that is intended to address a specific issue, states cannot enact laws that contradict or undermine that federal law.

For example, if the federal government sets regulations for environmental protections, a state cannot pass a law that allows more pollution than what federal law permits. This ensures a consistent national standard and protects against a patchwork of differing state regulations that could hinder federal policies or objectives.