Supreme Court silent on whether it will accept highly anticipated gay marriage cases

There's been no announcement today from the Supreme Court on its plans for dealing with the court fights over gay marriage.

 

Justices met today to discuss when and how to address the claim that the Constitution gives people the right to marry -- even someone of their own gender.

 

The next opportunity for an announcement on gay marriage cases is Monday, though the justices could also put off a decision until their next private meeting in a week.

 

Instead of dealing with the larger issue, the justices could put that aside for now, and focus on a narrower dispute -- involving whether Congress can prevent legally married gay Americans from receiving federal benefits that are otherwise available to married couples.