In addition to setting a limit of 360 days on the state Department of Natural Resources for action on an iron permit application, the bill relaxes a number of environmental protections for lakes, rivers and wetlands.

Thursday's vote also appeared to further raise the ire of Wisconsin's Bad River Chippewa tribe, which has opposed the mine and the permitting bill because of threats to the reservation's water and rice beds at the mouth of the Bad River, downstream from the proposed mining pit.

Tribal members drummed and sang all day during the Assembly debate, and one drummer was arrested and fined for disorderly conduct.

During a press conference, Tribal Chairman Mike Wiggins Jr. said in stronger language than at any time during the debate that the tribe will not shy away from federal litigation to stop the mine, perhaps even to fight the permitting bill.

The floor debate Thursday saw repeated outbursts from protesters in the galleries, which were eventually ordered cleared.

Throughout the debate, Republicans hammered at the importance of the mine to the state's economy and its value as a provider of jobs for struggling northern communities.

Democrats said the bill ignores the needs and the environmental concerns of northern communities and pointed especially to a provision that slashes the mining company tax dollars that would be paid to affected local governments.