CHICAGO (AP) — Texas Democrats on Thursday moved closer to ending a nearly two-week walkout that has blocked the GOP’s redrawing of U.S. House maps before the 2026 election and put them under escalating threats by Republicans back home.

Texas House Democrats who fled to Illinois and other northern states to block a Republican-led congressional redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump said Thursday they would return to Austin after lawmakers adjourn their current special session on Friday and California Democrats introduce their retaliatory map designed to neutralize the Texas GOP effort.

A federal judge in Illinois has rejected Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's request to enforce arrest warrants for Democrats who fled the Lone Star State earlier this month to block Republican redistricting plans.

A judge in Illinois on Wednesday denied Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to enforce civil arrest warrants for the absent Texas House Democrats trying to stop a redistricting effort that could net Republicans five seats in the US House.

An Illinois judge on Wednesday declined Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s (R) request to hold Texas Democrats who fled there in contempt. Paxton reached across state lines to seek a ruling that would effectively force the blue state to comply with efforts to arrest the lawmakers and return them to Texas to end their