House Appropriations Chairman David R. Obey, D-Wis., today outlined how earmarks will be disclosed before conference, and warned that if Republicans “demagogue” the issue there might be no earmarks in the fiscal 2008 bills.

Obey also offered a detailed explanation for why the committee had not been able to vet all earmarks before subcommittee markups. Besides the Defense spending bill, the other measures — all slated for action this month — are not expected to include earmarks until conference. The military measure is not expected to go to the floor until July.

Obey’s approach has raised the ire of Republicans, who say Democrats are reneging on promises of increased transparency and accountability.

The chairman’s session with reporters came as the first appropriations bills are set to go to the floor and amid GOP criticism that Democrats are attempting to hide earmarks from the public.

Last year’s package required public disclosure of earmarks and their sponsors in appropriations, tax and authorizing bills. But because that package was not passed until late in the year, it ended up not applying to any appropriations earmarks.

Republicans have not revealed their full strategy for challenging the appropriations bills but floor consideration could be prolonged.