MADISON, Wis. -- Republicans in the state Assembly have passed a sweeping bill to help a Florida-based company open an iron mine in northwestern Wisconsin.

The bill calls for state regulators to approve iron mine applications within a year and eliminates challenges to permitting decisions. The measure is designed to clear the way for Gogebic Taconite's plans to open an iron mine near Lake Superior.

The company has claimed its project will create hundreds of jobs.

Critics said the bill strips away environmental protections. They said they fear the mine will pollute one of the most pristine regions in the state and hurt the tourism industry.

But Republican lawmakers are looking for ways to deliver on campaign promises to create jobs.

After nearly four-and-a-half hours of debate, the measure passed on a 59-36 vote.

During the debate, Democrats questioned who actually wrote the bill.

"To answer your question, gentleman from the 37th, I would ask unanimous consent that myself and all Republicans be made authors of this legislation," said Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon.

Republicans proceeded to raise their hands to be named co-sponsors.

The bill now goes to the state Senate. It's unclear whether the legislation has enough support to pass in that house. Republicans hold only a one-vote majority in the Senate.

Assembly Republicans cleared dozens of protesters from the chamber's galleries after they disrupted debate on the bill Thursday.

As the body began arguing over the bill Thursday afternoon, demonstrators hurled obscenities at Republicans from the Assembly's overhead galleries under the cover of group coughs and throat-clearing.

Assembly President Pro Tem Bill Kramer, a Waukesha Republican, threatened to clear the galleries but stopped short after a band of protesters left voluntarily.

About two hours later, more protesters draped a massive banner over a gallery railing that read "Bury the Bill." Someone yelled out "Fascists!"

Kramer then ordered the galleries cleared. Protesters moved from the galleries to outside the chamber, where they banged on the doors and chanted "Shame!"

If the mine happens in northern Wisconsin, Gogebic Taconite said that in the first phase, which will be 35 years, the mine will be 4 to 5 miles long and 1,000 feet deep. It would be the biggest mine in state history.