Texas Democrats return to Austin for 'next phase' of redistricting fight

Texas Democrats have returned to Austin after fleeing the state for roughly two weeks in a bid to deny Republicans a quorum and thereby halt a redistricting effort expected to add five GOP-leaning seats to its congressional maps.

The state House Democratic Caucus on Monday confirmed the return of lawmakers, sayings they planned to “to launch the next phase in their fight against the racist gerrymander that provoked a weeks-long standoff with Governor [Greg] Abbott and President Trump," Politico reported.

The flight of Democrats did succeed in denying legislators a quorum, but also saw the state issue arrest warrants to force their return, with federal law enforcement reportedly getting involved.

State Attorney General Ken Paxton, for his part, even filed motions to vacate their seats. It remains unclear whether the state government plans to move forward with disciplinary efforts in light of their return.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.