The Texas House of Representatives failed to meet a quorum on Friday for the third time this week as Democratic lawmakers continued their walkout to block a vote on congressional voting maps sought by President Donald Trump in a widening national battle over redistricting.

Texas Republicans had warned they would escalate efforts to end the nearly weeklong holdout if defiant Democrats don’t return to the state Capitol. But the Democrats who bolted for points across the country on Aug. 3 still didn’t come back for Friday’s scheduled House floor vote.

The state constitution requires at least 100 members present for the 150-member House to do business, and Republicans hold an 88-62 majority in the chamber. Only 95 lawmakers were counted as present.

Frustrated Republican leaders have promised to ratchet up the pressure if the walkout persists, including expanding efforts to try to remove Democratic lawmakers from office and seeking help from the FBI to assist Texas state troopers trying to find them.

"We have all hands on deck, we are continuing to explore new avenues to compel a quorum and we'll keep pressing forward until the job is done," House Speaker Dustin Burrows said after the chamber failed to reach a quorum.

"Each one of you knows eventually you will come back,” he added.

The House is set to reconvene on Monday.