Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the arrest of more than 50 Democratic lawmakers who fled the state in an effort to block a Republican-led vote on redrawing the state's congressional districts. The walkout by Democrats prevented the Texas House of Representatives from achieving a quorum, thereby stalling the passage of the redistricting plan supported by Republicans and President Donald Trump. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit seeking to vacate the seats of 13 Democratic legislators who remain absent. The Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Rangers are actively searching for the lawmakers, with assistance requested from the FBI. Senator John Cornyn confirmed that the FBI has agreed to cooperate with Texas law enforcement to locate and apprehend the absent Democrats. Meanwhile, California Democrats, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, have escalated the political battle by proposing a ballot measure for November that would redraw California's congressional map to potentially add five Democratic seats. This move is seen as a counter to Texas's Republican-backed redistricting efforts. The dispute highlights ongoing national tensions over gerrymandering and its impact on electoral representation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.