Texas Lawmakers Return to State as Redistricting Standoff Ends

Texas Democratic lawmakers are returning to the state as a second special legislative session gets underway. The representatives spent two weeks outside Texas to block a vote on new congressional maps backed by President Donald Trump that could shift as many as five seats in the US House of Representatives to Republicans.

Democrats say they aren’t conceding the fight, and will pivot to court challenges if the maps pass the GOP-controlled state house and senate and get signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott. Their walkout had denied a quorum during the first special session, making it impossible for ...