Funding Agreement "Moves US Closer To Preventing Govt Shutdown"

White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby and Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre have briefed reporters en route to South Carolina where President Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks at a political event.

• On the framework for funding the government unveiled yesterday by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jean-Pierre says, the bipartisan funding framework, "moves us one step closer to preventing a needless government shutdown," adding that the agreement rejects "deep cuts" called from by Republicans.
• Jean-Pierre says that "congress must also act" on President Biden's national security supplemental government funding request currently subject to ongoing negotiations about policy at the US-Mexico border. Republican negotiator Senate James Lankford (R-OK) told reporters yesterday that a framework on US-Mexico border policy could be released as soon as this week.
• Asked if this morning's suspectedIsraeli airstrike - believed to have killed a high-ranking Hezbollah commander - could further increase tensions, Kirby says he believes that displaced people in Gaza and Lebanon have a right to return home but declined to comment of the operation.
• On the unfolding scandal surrounding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's absence from duty, Kirby says: "Our main focus right now is on [Austin's] health... he's already resumed all his functions [from hospital]," but adds that the NSC will look at procedure and make any necessary changes.
• Although Kirby says there are no plans for Austin to be relieved of duties, the incident could leave Biden vulnerable to Republican attacks on his control over his government.