The move to flee the state is part of a tactic to block a vote in the Texas House on redistricting. The proposal by Republicans would create five more Republican-leaning seats in the US House of Representatives, where the party holds a slim majority.

A delegation of Texas House Democrats had to evacuate their hotel in Illinois Wednesday morning due to a potential bomb threat, according to multiple lawmakers and local police.

More than 50 Texas House Democrats left the state Sunday to prevent a quorum in the state House of Representatives to move forward on a bill that would set new congressional districts​.