Byrd becomes only the second Bill to be issued a franchise tag.

WSJ: Bills place franchise tag on S Jairus Byrd

The administration, Byrd said, wants the bill passed by April 11.

CNN: White House gives lawmakers estimate on war's cost

Byrd said House Appropriations Chairman Bill Young, R-Florida, Senate ranking Republican Ted Stevens of Alaska and House ranking Democrat David Obey of Wisconsin all delivered similar messages.

CNN: Bush, Congress face off over emergency funds

Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia, from the stimulus bill as long as Republicans allow Democrats to bring it up in the Defense Appropriations bill.

CNN: Senate Republicans propose payroll tax holiday

The problem is an amendment that Mr Byrd tacked on to this year's agriculture-appropriations bill in the committee to thrash out differences between the House and Senate.

ECONOMIST: Trade