Democratic state legislators in Texas have blocked a vote on a United States congressional map that favours their Republican rivals by leaving the state , preventing the state House of Representatives from establishing a quorum.

The vote could not proceed on Monday afternoon, even as Republican Governor Greg Abbott threatened to remove the fleeing lawmakers from office and suggested that they could face charges. At least 100 legislators in the 150-member chamber needed to be present for the vote to proceed.

It is not clear when the next vote will be held.

The new redrawn map, backed by President Donald Trump, would give Republicans more safe seats to help them keep their majority in the US House in the midterm elections next year.

According to the Texas Tribune newspaper, the Texas H

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