COSTELLO: We could learn more details about the scandal surrounding those two generals in a White House briefing later today. But for now, we do have reaction to the General John Allen investigation. So let's bring in our White House correspondent Brianna Keilar. Good morning, Brianna.</s>BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol. And as you know, this story is something that broke in the middle of the night, 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time this morning. So a couple of hours ago, we got the first reaction from the White House from a spokesperson from the National Security Council saying at the request of the secretary of defense, the president has put on hold his nomination of General Allen as supreme allied commander pending the investigation of General Allen's conduct by the Department of Defense inspector general. As you know, General Allen was up actually and is here in Washington ahead of what was to be his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on Thursday for him to go over and be in charge of U.S. and NATO forces in Europe. So that is now on hold. President Obama himself putting that on hold at request of the defense secretary. General Allen was already set to leave Afghanistan, as I mentioned. And so the confirmation hearing for General Joseph Dunnford, Carol, the man who is set to replace Allen in Afghanistan is going to go ahead as planned Thursday on Capitol Hill. It was to be the same day. So President Obama also -- or from the White House President Obama's also urging Congress in this statement to move forward quickly with that, Carol. So that, obviously, there's someone in place in Afghanistan, especially as President Obama's looking at these 68,000 U.S. combat troops who are set to be coming home going into 2014.</s>COSTELLO: Got you. Brianna Keilar reporting live for us from the White House. The other drama unfolding in Washington, trying to avert the so-called fiscal cliff. We'll tell you what's happening this week.
White House Reacts To General Allen Probe