Mr. Byrd and other lawmakers have pressed the Japanese to buy American coal, the Prime Minister said.

Some lawmakers from both parties have pressed the administration to maintain financing levels for energy efficiency programs, but they say the administration has stood firm.

The proposals stand a good chance of passage on Capitol Hill, where Republican lawmakers have been pressing for Federal counterterrorism programs.

Meanwhile, lawmakers pressed hard to win approval for pet tax breaks that had been lying around for years but rejected on previous occasions.

Alaskan lawmakers are pressing for federal aid for a pipeline project.

Brazilian lawmakers pressed forward today with an inquiry into allegations of inside information leaks at the country's central bank.

At a hearing today of the House Armed Services Committee, lawmakers pressed military service chiefs on personnel problems.

He said that lawmakers would nonetheless press for sweeping legislation calling for tougher actions against American trading partners deemed to be engaged in unfair practices.

Some Democratic lawmakers have been pressing for a boycott of the select committee, arguing that to participate might lend credibility to a process they view as rigged.

The issue arose as a result of the Iran-contra affair, and lawmakers had been pressing for legislation that would have subjected all covert operations to reporting within 48 hours.