Texas Democrats on Monday prevented their state's House of Representatives from moving forward, at least for now, with a redrawn congressional map sought by U.S. President Donald Trump to shore up Republicans' 2026 midterm prospects as his political standing falters.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott doubled down on his promise to expel Texas Democrats from the legislature if they do not return to the state for its ongoing special session, where Republicans are working to push through a new congressional map that gives the GOP five more favorable seats ahead of the midterms.

Houston Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons fled Texas with over 50 other Democrats to halt business as usual while America "slip-slides into fascism," she tells Teen Vogue.