Sixty-four percent of the states in the country have a law allowing same-sex couples to be married. The U.S. Department of Justice announced last Saturday that it is recognizing same-sex marriage in six more states.

The six states are Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The announcement increased the number of states, which allow same-sex marriage, from 26 to 32.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s press release, the decision was based on the Supreme Court’s decision to not hear a challenge to Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin’s decision to allow same-sex marriage.

Hence, the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a challenge to the states’ same-sex marriage laws allowed same-sex marriage to remain in place in those states.

The U.S. Department of Justice also announced that same-sex married couples are eligible for federal benefits that are granted to married couples who are not in a same-sex relationship. 

In response to the announcement, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said, “With each new state where same-sex marriages are legally recognized, our nation moves closer to achieving of full equality for all Americans.”