The White House and congressional Republicans "edged closer to a spending-cut deal" as House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) directed staff to begin negotiations with their Senate-side counterparts, The Hill reports.
The move suggests the two sides have agreed on a top-line number.
Meanwhile, Ben Smith notes "a remarkable exchange" between Politico reporter David Rogers and House Majority Eric Cantor (R-VA) which clearly shows Boehner has kept Cantor out the budget negotiations. Earlier reports of a looming government shutdown have been based on statements made by Cantor, but it seems he's been out of the loop.