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.

Sen. John Cornyn said FBI Director Kash Patel will have federal officers work with Texas state law enforcement to locate Democrats who fled the state.

Michael McAuliffe, former prosecutor and former state attorney, told Newsweek the FBI's involvement is "well beyond alarming."