The United States Supreme Court still has not announced its decision on whether to hear same-sex marriage challenges from any of the six cases before the court.

The court could consider any of five challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act, a 1996 law that forbids the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions. DOMA has been found unconstitutional in eight previous rulings from lower courts.

Also before the court is a challenge to California's Proposition 8, the voter initiative that ended same-sex marriage in the state. It has also been overturned by lower courts, but remains in force during appeals. Prop 8 is being challenged by attorneys Ted Olsen and David Boies, who famously argued one another in 2000's Bush v. Gore case.

SCOTUSBlog, a website that covers the Supreme Court, reported today that the court could make an announcement regarding the cases at the end of the week.

The Court later Monday morning posted on its electronic docket the rescheduling of the cases for consideration at the Justices’ Conference this Friday morning. An announcement could come after that session or on the following Monday. The cases are being closely monitored by both advocates and foes of same-sex marriages.

Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin recently told GA Voice he believed the Supreme Court would issue the final word on marriage equality.

“I believe that ultimately this issue will be decided before the U.S. Supreme Court,” Griffin said. “These important civil rights issues have always come about before the court. The momentum is important. It’s quite clear where the country is headed on these issues.”

Top photo: The Supreme Court of the United States of America (by Franz Jantzen via supremecourt.gov)