Paxton said he would begin asking Texas courts on Friday to remove the Democrats if they do not return to Austin. “Democrats have abandoned their offices by fleeing Texas, and a failure to respond to a call of the House constitutes a dereliction of their duty as elected officials,

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said he will ask the courts to declare state legislators’ seats vacant if they do not return by Friday and allow Republicans to redraw the Congressional map.

Republican Speaker Dustin Burrows has given the absent lawmakers until Friday, Aug. 8, to return to Texas and appear before the House.