Senate Democrats urged to demand ‘real reforms’ over ICE funding bill

Progressive caucus leader Greg Casar calls for five non-negotiable' items to be included before Democrats vote yes

The leader of Congress's progressive caucus on Monday called for Democratic senators to demand real reforms" to Immigration and Customs Enforcement before voting for a key spending bill, and warned that Republicans would take the blame if the standoff sparks another government shutdown.

The call from Greg Casar, the Texas congressman who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, comes after the Saturday killing of US citizen Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis upset delicate negotiations in Congress intended to keep the government running beyond Friday, when the current spending authorization expires.