The Senate has just decided to abandon the Omnibus bill and instead craft a Continuing Resolution.  That bill would fund USDOT and other federal agencies through early 2011, or perhaps through September 30th (the end of the fiscal year).

That probably means the earmarks will die.  Much of the opposition to the Omnibus was centered on the 6,700 earmarks valued at $8.1 billion.

Earlier today Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid defended the earmarks, while a Politico analysis noted that five top Democrats had $1,283 billion in earmarks, and five top Republicans had $940 million in earmarks, in the bill.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) racked up $252 million, Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) snagged $145 million, Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Chuck Schumer of New York scored $217 million and Conference Secretary Patty Murray (D-Wash.) got $248 million. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, a Democrat, earmarked $421 million in projects, mostly to his home state of Hawaii.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) got earmarks totaling $113 million, Senate Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) got $92 million, Senate Policy Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) scored $65 million and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn of Texas got $110 million. Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran, the top Republican on the Appropriations Committee, who racked up $560 million.

"Harry Reid defends earmarks in omnibus," Politico

"Leaders pile up $2 billion in earmarks," Politico