AUSTIN, Texas —

Both Texas Republicans and Democrats are ratcheting up their rhetoric over proposed U.S. House maps that could give the GOP five more seats. But the action in Austin is stalled for now.

Most Democrats who left the state to stop the redistricting effort are showing no signs they will come back to Texas. Republicans are escalating their threats, with Gov. Greg Abbott going to court to request the removal of a Houston lawmaker from office. And President Donald Trump is keeping the pressure on, saying Tuesday on CNBC that Republicans are “entitled” to five more U.S. House seats in Texas.

Meanwhile, the stakes of the argument are only increasing nationally. Democratic-led states have taken in the fleeing lawmakers and are looking for ways to redraw their own House maps in res

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