Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin has criticized Governor Scott Walker and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, both Republicans, for appealing a federal judge's ruling striking down the state's ban on gay marriage.

A week after issuing her ruling, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb put it on hold pending an appeal from the state. Nearly 600 gay couples married in the week when it was legal to do so.

Walker said he approved of the stay, while Van Hollen said he was “pleased.”

“By staying this ruling, [Crabb] has confirmed that Wisconsin's law regarding same-sex marriage remains in full force and effect,” Van Hollen said in a statement. “County clerks do not have authority under Wisconsin law to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Judge Crabb's stay makes this abundantly clear.”

Baldwin, the country's first openly gay senator, said Walker and Van Hollen were “standing in the way of … equality for all Wisconsinites.”

“I believe that we owe it to the next generation to give them a Wisconsin that is more equal, not less equal,” she said in a statement. “The Wisconsin I know deserves better than a Governor defending discrimination and an Attorney General prosecuting progress. Wisconsin should be a place where every family’s love and commitment can be recognized and respected under the law. It is time for Governor Walker and Attorney General Van Hollen to stop standing in the way of freedom, fairness and equality for all Wisconsinites. Love is love, family is family, and discriminating against anyone's love, against anyone's family, is just plain wrong.”