(AUSTIN, Texas) — A showdown is unfolding in Texas as Gov. Greg Abbott threatens to remove Democrats who have fled the state in protest of Republican-led effort to create a new congressional map.

Abbott said Texas House Democrats have until 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.

The response from the Texas House Democratic Caucus to Abbott’s threat was, “Come and take it.”

Democratic members who left the state are slated to hold various events throughout the day Monday in New York, Massachusetts and Illinois.

The proposed congressional map, backed by President Donald Trump, could create up to five new Republican

See Full Page