Texas Democratic lawmakers who left the state to block a Republican plan for congressional redistricting are pleading for donations to help cover their costs.

During a special committee meeting on Congressional redistricting on Thursday (August 7), Texas Senate Republican Phil King and Democrat Borris Miles took part in a heated debate over adopting a new redistricting map championed by U.

The political and legal threats against Democrats who left Texas to protest a redrawn political map have gone further and faster than many anticipated.

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.

In a preview clip of Friday's "Ruthless" podcast," Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to create up to eight new seats for his party if Democratic state lawmakers don't return.