Texas Democrats said the state legislature is holding flood victims “hostage” by focusing on approving new congressional maps, instead of working to provide aid.

“It’s been two weeks,” said Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, “they don’t even have a bill filed.”

Democratic state lawmakers left Austin on Sunday to prevent a vote on new congressional maps designed to give Republicans additional seats in the U.S. House during the upcoming midterm elections.

“They have spent their entire time playing dirty, political games that only help themselves,” Wu said.

The Democratic lawmakers spread out to Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and other regions of the country, and plan to meet with leaders in those states over the coming days.

“They are not in Austin,” said state Rep. Chris

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