Biden and Trump head to US-Mexico border with immigration a top election issue – live

Joe Biden and Donald Trump

LIVE – Updated at 13:59

Joe Biden has promised a humane approach to migration at the border but struggled to deal with a surge in crossings; Donald Trump, however, has long promised to implement draconian policies.

Biden, Trump head to US-Mexico border with immigration top issue in 2024 race

13:59

Good morning, US politics blog readers. Joe Biden and Donald Trump will both be in Texas today to visit the US border with Mexico, amid public frustration over undocumented migrants crossing into the country. The visits by the current and former president come after a bargain to implement hardline policies meant to keep migrants out coupled with new military aid to Ukraine and Israel fell apart in Congress, leaving the fate of these national security priorities uncertain. Yet all signs point to continued public anxiety about the state of the southern border – this week, Gallup released polling that showed immigration was the top problem on the public’s mind.

Trump has long promised to implement draconian policies against undocumented migrants, and did so during his presidency. Biden, meanwhile, promised a more humane approach, but struggled to deal with a surge in border crossings that began after he took office, and the Republican attacks that accompanied them. We’ll keep an eye out for what the two men may say when they arrive in Texas. The president gets there this afternoon.

Here’s what else is going on today:

Lloyd Austin, the defense secretary, will discuss the secrecy around his hospitalization during an appearance before the House armed services committee beginning at 10am ET.

The race to replace Mitch McConnell as the Senate’s top Republican will start heating up after he yesterday announced plans to step down. Reports say Trump’s allies would like a rightwing alternative to the three senators thought to be in the running – all of whom are named John.

The government probably will not shut down, after congressional leaders released a deal on funding yesterday. This afternoon, the House will vote on a short-term measure to keep the money flowing, while passage of the broader funding compromise is expected in the near future.