More than 50 Texas Democratic lawmakers left the state on Sunday, in an effort to block the passage of a controversial new redistricting map that would fulfill President Trump's desire to add up to five more Republican congressional seats in the U.S. House.

The move is called "breaking quorum." The Texas House requires 100 members present to conduct business, but only has 88 Republicans. It needs Democrats in the room, even if it doesn't need their votes, in order to enact the new map.

"If you're the minority party, and you can't block any legislation, one nuclear option you always have is to walk out, thereby preventing the legislature from engaging in any activity and particularly passing legislation," explains Mark P. Jones, a political science professor at Rice University.

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