OAK CREEK, Wis. — Same-sex marriage is one step closer to being protected by federal law nationwide, after the House of Representatives voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act on Thursday. President Joe Biden's expected to sign the bill into law.

An Oak Creek, Wis. couple — JR Witt and Charlie Nash — said they are thrilled. They married in Minnesota because same-sex marriage wasn't recognized in Wisconsin in 2012. 

“For this to pass and know that we will have coverage from state-to-state and know we don’t have to worry about that for our own family,” said Nash. 

Both are part of a Wisconsin organization called Out Families, a group for LGBTQ families.

Witt is the president and said this news is huge for families across the state. 

“This passing has been on our minds since this summer time when Roe v. Wade was overturned,” said Witt. “We wanted to get on board just in case same sex marriage would be overturned as well.” 

Moving forward, both are hopeful one day same-sex marriage will be looked at as just marriage, without a qualifier.