Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday that he will seek a court ruling declaring that state House Democrats who broke quorum and left the state have “abandoned their offices.” Gov. Greg Abbott moved faster, filing an emergency petition with the Supreme Court of Texas to remove state Rep. Gene Wu from office.

U.S. Sen. Cornyn, a Republican, wants the FBI to use tools he says it has to track lawmakers who "cross state lines." The president says the federal agency "may have to" get involved.

Gov. Greg Abbott says the dozens of Democrats who fled the state to block a redraw of the state's congressional maps could also be charged with bribery or be removed from their seats. Ethics experts question his threats.

The move effectively brings the state House of Representatives to a standstill and prevents any consideration by the full chamber of HB 4, which would dramatically redraw Texas’ congressional maps.