Watch Replay: Sarah Sanders Fills In For Sean Spicer At White House Press Briefing

WHITE HOUSE — Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders delivered a televised briefing at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Thursday, filling in for Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

In her opening remarks, Sanders touted today's jobs report that show continued healthy job growth, attributing the progress to the president's leadership. (For more information on this and other political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch for daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Sanders would not comment on or retract Spicer's previous statements on Maryland accusations of rape against undocumented immigrants; it was announced today that no charges will be brought in that case, which Spicer has called a "tragedy" similar to those that motivated Trump's hard line immigration position.

When asked about White House Chief Usher Angella Reid, who is suddenly moving on from her job, Sanders said the she was leaving on good terms with the White House. Reports suggested she was fired, though Sanders did not use that word. Since the position of chief usher is a non-political position, its occupants are rarely fired.

"We left on very good terms and wish her the very best and certainly hope for great things for her in the future," she said. "However, it’s not uncommon you might have a transition of staff when a new administration comes in. It’s nothing more than that.”

Asked about the progress of the American Health Care Act, Sanders said that while the White House is hopeful about the bill will go into effect in something like its present form, it would not be pushing for the Senate to pass the law by a set deadline.

"We want to get it right, not get it fast," she said.

Sanders was also asked about Congressional Budget Office's scoring of the AHCA. The newest version of the bill has not been scored by the non-partisan office, but it's original estimate found that the bill would add an extra 24 million people to the ranks of the uninsured by 2026.

"I know the gospel pretty well, and the CBO is not the gospel," said Sanders.

Watch a replay of the briefing here.

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Associate Press Photo by Andrew Harnik