Washington (CNN) When it comes to averting another government shutdown over border security, every day that negotiations on Capitol Hill don't fall apart is a good day.

That was the message to me from one lawmaker involved -- if it seems like a low bar, it is, but given the issues and politics, it's a genuinely good sign the talks are not just ongoing, but deep in the weeds, multiple people directly involved say. There is consensus that a final agreement will need increases in funding for technology, personnel, and yes, border barriers. The levels, the structures, the details -- those are what are being hashed out in proposals and counter proposals right now.

Bottom line: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have given the conferees space to reach a deal and people directly involved remain optimistic that an agreement will be reached. The bigger outstanding question from lawmakers and staff outside the conference committee: what exactly will President Donald Trump to do with any deal.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby went to the White House to brief Trump on the bipartisan group's progress. Following the meeting, the Alabama Republican was visibly pleased and upbeat when he returned to the Capitol. He told CNN that he and the President did not discuss an overall figure for an emerging agreement but rather the substance of what they were discussing -- new barriers, new technology and new personnel. He indicated Trump was aware that three-pronged approach is what was being formulated by the conference committee and that he thought Trump was ready to sign an agreement like that and keep the government open.

"I am pleased," Shelby said. "We had a positive meeting. The President was urging me to try to conclude these negotiations. This is the most positive meeting I've had in a long time. So we're not there yet. We're seriously negotiating."

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