Happy Monday! Not to sound like a broken record, but Congress is back this week to work itself out of yet another government shutdown jam. Aside from the monthly shutdown threats, here’s what’s happening today:

• President Biden and former President Trump are making dueling trips to the U.S.-Mexico border on Thursday.
• Conservatives are making abortion policy plans for 2025 if Trump wins in November. Meanwhile, Trump has mostly evaded discussing abortion policies.
• Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel is stepping down from her role on March 8. Keep reading for the implications of her departure.

I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@digital-staging.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.  

^ About that headline: If you’ve driven through North Carolina on 95, you without a doubt know “South of the Border.”

President Biden and former President Trump are making dueling visits to the southern border Thursday, reports The Hill’s Brett Samuels.

What we know about Biden’s visit: He will meet with border patrol agents and local leaders in Brownsville, Texas.

What we know about Trump’s visit: He will speak at Eagle Pass, Texas, more than 300 miles from where Biden is visiting.

Why this matters: It shows how important immigration and border security are in the 2024 presidential election.

Former President Trump appealed the New York civil fraud ruling that ordered him to pay $454 million. (The Hill)

Keep in mind: This appeal was widely expected. Trump is also responsible for paying interest on the fine, which has been adding tens of thousands of dollars a day to his bottom line.

After repeatedly punting the government funding deadlines to buy more time, lawmakers are nearing their second threat of a government shutdown this year.

Where negotiations stand: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Sunday that an agreement has not been reached. He blamed Republicans, and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) blamed Democrats. All very unsurprising.

When would the government shut down?: Part of the government would shut down at the end of Friday. The other part would shut down March 8.

💡 Why there are two dates: Government funding typically expires on one date, but Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) split it into two deadlines. Roll Call explainer

What would shut down on Friday: “Funding for military construction, water development and the departments of Agriculture, Energy, Veterans Affairs, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development lapse Friday. The remaining eight spending bills expire March 8.” (The Hill)

That’s not much time: Especially because the Senate is back today, but the House is out until Wednesday.

Happening on Tuesday: President Biden is hosting the big four — Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) — at the White House to discuss spending and Ukraine funding.

Abortion policy historically hasn’t been a priority for former President Trump, with him mostly dodging questions related to abortion, i.e., whether he’d sign a ban, abortion medication, etc.

But behind the scenes: Trump is reportedly telling advisers that he supports a 16-week abortion ban. Abortion laws haven’t been one of Trump’s major platforms, but he has been happy to embrace the fact that he appointed the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade.

Trump did weigh in on the Alabama IVF debate: On Friday, Trump called on Alabama lawmakers to protect in vitro fertilization (IVF) access.

How conservatives are prepping behind the scenes: Former Trump officials and anti-abortion groups are plotting sweeping abortion restrictions they could enact if Trump wins in November, report The Hill’s Nathaniel Weixel and Brett Samuels. This is tricky because even if Trump backs policies like an abortion ban, it would be near impossible to pass in Congress.

Read more: What conservatives are planning for 2025 if Trump wins

I recommend listening to today’s episode of The New York Times’s “The Daily” podcast.

‘The Pro-life Movement’s Not-So-Secret Plan for Trump’: The Atlantic

‘Chief justice’s Christian reasoning in IVF opinion sparks alarm over church-state separation’: AP

‘In [North and South Carolina], mental health becomes part of the abortion debate’: Roll Call

Former President Trump beat GOP rival Nikki Haley by about 20 points in Saturday’s South Carolina presidential primary.

The Hill and Decision Desk HQ’s election results tracker

A reaction that’s getting traction: Alyssa Farah Griffin, former White House communications director under Trump, equated Haley’s loss to a “five-alarm fire” for the GOP.

But Trump handily won. What’s her argument?: “Haley was able to get 40 percent of the Republican primary vote over Trump, who is basically the incumbent,” Farah Griffin said on CNN. (The Hill)

Will Haley drop out: No, she vowed to “keep fighting.”

‘5 takeaways from the South Carolina GOP primary’

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Ronna McDaniel announced that she will step down from the RNC on March 8. Plus: RNC co-chair Drew McKissick is also stepping down in March.

Keep in mind: This was expected. McDaniel has served for seven years and had reportedly planned to step down after the South Carolina primary.

Trump’s favorites: Trump has endorsed RNC general counsel Michael Whatley to replace McDaniel and his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to replace McKissick.

A big question for the RNC: Will the committee pay for Trump’s legal fees for the 91 pending felony charges?

“Trump’s campaign has spent millions of dollars on legal fees over the past year, leaving his operation at a significant cash disadvantage compared to President Biden’s campaign. [Top Trump adviser Chris LaCivita] reportedly said in recent days the campaign would not ask the RNC to pay Trump’s legal bills. But skeptics have noted that once the two start jointly fundraising, the money may ultimately be used for legal fees anyway.” More from The Hill’s Brett Samuels

What her uncle, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said: A few weeks ago, Romney said he has “nothing but love and affection for my niece” amid reports that she would step down. (Politico)

🌰  Celebrate: Today is National Pistachio Day!

🌕  Wow, this is such a cool photo: @7NewsDC posted a photo of last night’s full moon over the Washington Monument.

📱 Getting traction: The Hill’s Julia Shapero explains “why tech companies are laying off thousands of workers.” (The Hill)

The House is out. The Senate is back from recess. President Biden is in New York, and Vice President Harris is in Washington, D.C. (all times Eastern)

• Today: The Supreme Court hears oral arguments on two social media content moderation laws. Livestream of the Florida case / Livestream of the Texas case
• 12:25 p.m.: Biden leaves for New York.
• 1:15 p.m.: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre briefs reporters. Livestream
• 2:45 p.m.: Biden participates in a campaign meeting in New York City.
• 3 p.m.: The Senate meets.
• 3:35 p.m.: Harris records an interview with Brother Shomari for WURD Radio.
• 5:30 p.m.: A Senate roll call vote. 🗓️ Today’s agenda
• 8:15 p.m.: Biden returns to the White House.

Because you made it this far, watch this naturally talented musician.