The Senate yesterday cooled down a partisan conflagration over the breadth of earmark reform in its lobbying and ethics bill, voting unanimously to adopt an amendment strengthening earmark disclosure rules offered by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) with modifications from Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

DeMint’s amendment would require members to attach their names to earmarks appearing in report language as well as bill text, would expand the definition of a targeted tax benefit, and would ensure earmarks sent through federal entities are covered by the disclosure standard. Democratic leaders initially sought to quash DeMint’s bid after 10 majority members crossed over to vote against tabling the amendment last Thursday, but DeMint ultimately struck an agreement to pass Durbin’s modifications.

The Senate is set to vote today to invoke cloture on a substitute amendment strengthening the ethics bill’s gift and travel curbs offered by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who aims to vote on the underlying legislation by Friday.