--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are people who oppose a federal…" description: "\"There are people who oppose a federal Constitutional amendment because they think that the law of family should be made by the states. I can see a legi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/dallin-h-oaks-2042_already-taken_there-are-people-who-oppose-a-federal-co_779594.png" --- # There are people who oppose a federal Constitutional… ![“There are people who oppose a federal Constitutional amendment because they think that the law of family should be made by the states. I can see a legitimate argument there. I think it's mistaken, however, because the federal government, through the decisions of life-tenured federal judges, has…” quote by Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/dallin-h-oaks-2042_already-taken_there-are-people-who-oppose-a-federal-co_779594.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/dallin-h-oaks-2042_already-taken_there-are-people-who-oppose-a-federal-co_779594.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/dallin-h-oaks-2042_already-taken_there-are-people-who-oppose-a-federal-co_779594.png) > “There are people who oppose a federal Constitutional amendment because they think that the law of family should be made by the states. I can see a legitimate argument there. I think it's mistaken, however, because the federal government, through the decisions of life-tenured federal judges, has already taken over that area.” [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Federal judges have effectively decided family law, making state‑level amendments redundant. **In simple terms:** Judges already control family law. Key Takeaway Recognize judicial influence on family policy. Themes law federalism family policy Mood analytical critical Type political legal When to use this quote - legislative reform - state advocacy - public policy debates Key Concepts constitutional law judicial review Questions to Reflect On - Should family law be decided by judges or states? - What are the risks of centralizing family law? A Different Perspective Judicial decisions may not reflect public will. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Already taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/already-taken/) [Amendments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendments/) [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Constitutional amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitutional-amendment/) [Constitutional amendments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitutional-amendments/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Federal government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-government/) [Federal judges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-judges/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [There is no federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elena-kagan/there-is-no-federal-constitutional-right-to-same-sex-marriage/) [Elena Kagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elena-kagan/) > [I think you may see again a rise at the federal government level for a - a call for the federal constitutional amendment, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-bachmann/i-think-you-may-see-again-a-rise-at-the-federal-government-level-for/) [Michele Bachmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-bachmann/) > [I oppose federal bureaucrats compelling Americans to drive electric vehicles whether they want to or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-james/i-oppose-federal-bureaucrats-compelling-americans-to-drive-electric/) [John E. 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