Texas Democrats ended their walkout and returned as Republicans advance a redistricting plan that would likely create five new GOP congressional seats.

Abbott called a second special session after the House again failed to reach a quorum amid a Democratic walkout over a GOP-favored redistricting plan.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called a second special session Friday after gaveling out the first 30-day session, hamstrung by fleeing Democrats who left the state.

The Texas State House of Representatives could vote as early as this week on the state's controversial congressional redistricting plan after Gov. Greg Abbott called a second special legislative session with Democrats ending their boycott and returning to the state.

More than 50 Democrats left the state on Aug. 4 in a quorum-breaking move to stop congressional redistricting by stalling official business in the House.

Texas House Democrats have returned to Austin for a second special session after fleeing the state to block a redistricting effort by Republicans in the state.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday called a second special session to push through a redrawing of congressional maps to secure up to five more Republican seats in the US House.

House Bill 4, the redistricting legislation, is the only item on the lawmakers' agenda when they reconvene on Wednesday.

Gov. Greg Abbott has called a second special session for 19 agenda items as Texas' redistricting showdown rages on.

More Texas House Democrats spent the night at the state Capitol in Austin in support of Rep. Nicole Collier, who wasn’t allowed to leave the building after she refused to consent to a police escort. Texas House Republican leaders would only allow Democratic lawmakers to return to their homes if they signed waivers allowing law enforcement to shadow them until a vote on redistricting Wednesday.