What Was All The Fuss About...?

Well, after all the closed-door back-and-forth Thursday between House leaders of both parties, it appears they are right where they began the day with an official cease-fire to move forward on the appropriations bills.

Republicans will lay down their obstructionist tools in exchange for a binding agreement by Democratic leaders to include a list of earmarks with nine of the remaining 10 bills to be considered after this week. In addition, Democrats will ensure lawmakers on both sides have the right to challenge specific projects after the House and Senate have approved their separate versions of the spending bills.

Republicans didn't have to sign off on a timeline to complete the individual spending measures or a limit to the number of amendments lawmakers could offer as the process goes forward.