Back in late June, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. With this overturn came an opinion from Justice Clarence Thomas, who suggested the court should review other previous rulings as well.
One of the rulings specifically referenced by Thomas was none other than Obergefell v. Hodges. This particular ruling granted same-sex couples the right to marry under federal law.
Amid concerns about the Supreme Court upending Obergefell, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle crafted the Respect For Marriage Act; the legislation designed to protect the rights of gay and interracial couples to marry passed the Senate this week.
A deeper dive into the Respect For Marriage Act
In the Senate, all 50 Democrats were joined by 12 Republicans who helped the Respect For Marriage Act pass.
The legislation now returns to the House of Representatives where it will very likely pass. From there, Joe Biden will need to sign the Respect For Marriage Act in order to enshrine it into law.
Under this bipartisan bill, US governments will have to acknowledge all marriages that are legal in the states where they originate.
