Dozens of Texas Democratic lawmakers had barely left the state to stall a vote on a redrawn congressional map when Republicans started lobbing threats of steep fines, arrests, criminal investigations and even removal from office.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the arrest of Democratic lawmakers who left the state to block a controversial vote on new congressional maps. “Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans,

Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened on Monday to arrest Democratic lawmakers who are using their collective absence from the state capital to prevent the legislature from adopting a Republican-backed plan for redrawing Texas congressional districts.

President Donald Trump claimed Republicans are "entitled to five more seats" in Texas, where a redistricting battle is playing out among state lawmakers.

Most Texas House Democrats remain out of the state, depriving the Legislature of its ability to pass new congressional maps and other GOP priorities.