Abbott gave Texas House Democrats a deadline of 3 p.m. local time on Monday to return to the statehouse for the special session or risk losing their jobs. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton suggested Democrats who left should be arrested and forcibly brought back, though he later admitted that would be a "challenge."

The governor's threat comes as Democratic legislators flee Texas to stall a vote on a redistricting plan that would favour Republicans.

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.