House Republicans claim a modest victory on earmarks:

Democrats, in the tenuous accord, agreed to include a list of earmarks in the 10 spending bills the House has yet to address. In addition, they’ll give lawmakers the opportunity to strike specific projects from the final version of each appropriations bill after both chambers have passed their respective versions. In exchange, Republicans agreed not to hold up consideration of the bills on the floor. The deal should pave the way for lawmakers to approve appropriation measures this week for the Department of Homeland Security and various military construction projects and veterans programs. The standoff now is about whether Republicans will agree to a hard timeline for each of the spending bills to ensure the process is completed on time. Republicans have stalled action on the floor to protest a plan by Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) to insert members’ pet projects into spending bills after the House and Senate have both approved their respective versions, making it difficult for members to challenge individual projects. In declaring victory on Thursday, GOP leaders promised to continue their fight against profligate spending – and, in turn, to restore the party’s brand for fiscal discipline after squandering that title during their years in the majority.