But the House conferees refused to begin negotiations on the compromise.

He added that the amendment had been unanimously approved by the 26 principal House conferees.

But it is unclear if the House conferees will fight for it.

"But the House conferees' egos won't permit them to do that."

The gas shortage also put pressure on the House conferees to approve funding for mass transit.

All eight of the House Democratic conferees voted for the legislation.

Even with the delay, however, the work provision remains anathema to a majority of the 40 House conferees.

House conferees should follow the Senate's lead on both issues.

Our hope is that fiscal conservatives among the House conferees will kill it.

Any changes made there would have to be approved by the House conferees, who have not planned a similar review.