Republicans’ move to redraw U.S. House maps in Texas to benefit their party has set off a nationwide battle over redistricting.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is leaning into the Texas redistricting battle as he seeks to fend off a conservative primary challenge from state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R). On Tuesday, Cornyn publicly called for FBI Director Kash Patel to assist in tracking down Democrats who fled the state in protest.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Texas seeking judicial declarations that 13 Texas House seats have been vacated due to continued unlawful absences by Democrat legislators who missed the return deadline set by Speaker Dustin Burrows.

During a brief session Friday, state House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) announced the chamber did not have enough members present to conduct business.

Democratic lawmakers maintained their walkout to thwart a Republican gerrymander, prompting Ken Paxton to ask the state’s Supreme Court to remove 13 of them from their seats.