Gibbons v. Ogden established which principle about federal power?

• A. States retain final authority over commerce within their borders.
• B. Congress has the power to regulate commerce and federal law takes precedence over state laws.
• C. The Supreme Court decides interstate commerce issues independently of Congress.
• D. Federal law cannot override state laws in commercial matters.

Answer: (B)

Gibbons v. Ogden centers on the reach of federal power under the Commerce Clause and the primacy of federal law over state law when they clash. The ruling says Congress has the authority to regulate interstate commerce, including navigation between states, and that federal regulations in this area prevail over conflicting state laws due to the Supremacy Clause. In practical terms, it expanded federal regulation beyond a single state’s control and established that states cannot undermine federally authorized interstate commerce by enforcing their own restrictions or monopolies.

So the best answer captures both pieces: Congress can regulate commerce between the states, and federal law overrides state law when there’s a conflict. The other ideas would imply states keep final say over interstate commerce, or that the Court operates independently of Congress, or that federal law cannot override state laws—none of which align with the decision.