Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the arrest of more than 50 Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a Republican-led vote on redrawing congressional districts. The Democrats left Texas to deny the state legislature a quorum, preventing the passage of a redistricting plan favored by Republicans and supported by former President Donald Trump. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued arrest warrants and filed a lawsuit seeking to vacate the seats of 13 absent Democratic legislators. Abbott has deployed Texas Rangers and state troopers to locate and arrest the lawmakers, who reportedly fled to states including Illinois and California. The governor also authorized felony bribery investigations into the fleeing Democrats, citing the use of a private jet reportedly costing $15,000 per hour. Texas Senator John Cornyn has requested FBI assistance to help state authorities find the absent Democrats, with the FBI agreeing to cooperate. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom has escalated the redistricting conflict by proposing a November ballot measure to redraw California's congressional map, potentially adding five Democratic seats in response to Texas' GOP-backed plan. This ongoing standoff highlights the intensifying national debate over gerrymandering and its political implications ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.