This means even if the Supreme Court does one day overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, marriages of same-sex couples will be federally recognized, given that they originated in a state where gay marriage is legal.
Thomas was the only justice to submit an opinion calling for a reconsideration of Obergefell. While other justices on the Supreme Court made it clear they were not in concurrence with Thomas, most Americans also never expected the toppling of Roe v. Wade.
In this case, the mindset behind the Respect For Marriage Act is “better safe than sorry.”
Another issue deserving attention
In America today, only seven states have totally outlawed child marriage. This means the remaining 43 states permit child marriage in some cases, oftentimes with parental or judicial consent.
If there is one thing Americans of all political persuasions should agree upon, it is that adults should not be marrying underage children.
Just as Republicans and Democrats joined forces to protect the rights of gay and interracial couples, Congress must also pass a federal ban against child marriage.
