MADISON, Wis. • Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled Legislature on Thursday repealed Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ mask mandate, brushing aside warnings from health experts against making Wisconsin one of 10 states without a statewide order.

The Assembly vote came a week after the Senate voted to kill the mandate. Republicans, who control both chambers, argued that Evers exceeded his authority by repeatedly extending the mask mandate without legislative approval.

The repeal will take effect on Friday, after both GOP legislative leaders sign it.

Evers could defy the Legislature by issuing a new order putting a fresh mask mandate in place, a move that would force the Legislature to vote again to repeal. The latest mask mandate had been in place since August. Local mask ordinances, including one in Milwaukee and Dane County which includes Madison, remain in effect.

Evers did not immediately comment on his next move.

Dr. Bud Chumbley, head of the Wisconsin Medical Society, blasted the vote, saying it “sends the wrong message at the wrong time.”

Republicans say the issue isn’t about masks, but whether Evers can legally issue multiple emergency health orders during the pandemic. The Legislature argues he can’t, and must secure their approval every 60 days.

Evers contends the changing nature of the pandemic allowed him to issue multiple orders and mask mandates.