Over the shouts of protesters and outraged Democrats, Republicans in the state Assembly on Thursday pushed through the governor's controversial budget repair bill, leaving one of the most divisive proposals in state history one step from becoming law.

Holding their microphones over their heads and screaming "Shame! Shame!" Democrats accused the GOP of ignoring multiple laws in order to pass the bill and vowed to continue their fight against the measure in court.

Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, called the actions "a mockery of our democracy," and said he believed the vote would not stand. Barca said that in the past month Republicans violated open meetings laws, a court order to open the state Capitol and various rules of the Assembly and Senate — all to advance legislation aimed at busting unions under the guise of balancing the budget.

Gov. Scott Walker plans to sign the legislation, which would effectively end collective bargaining rights for most public employees, "as soon as possible," said his spokesman, Cullen Werwie.

The bill passed the Assembly on a mostly party-line 53-42 vote Thursday afternoon following a chaotic morning at the state Capitol.