Embroiled in negotiations over the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Democrats are approaching a difficult decision.

They can force a government shutdown, appeasing their progressive base, or agree to a deal with Republicans that would include protections for Dreamers in exchange for border wall funding, a move that would wildly inflame the base. This, of course, is all in the context of a midterm election year during the tenure of a Republican president who prevailed in states where Democrats are defending key Senate seats.