AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Senate Democrats walked off the Senate floor and out of the chamber on Tuesday in protest as the upper chamber began debating a proposed new congressional map that aims to give Republicans more seats in the House of Representatives.

Nine Senate Democrats walked out. Two of the Senate Democrats, state Sens. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), stayed behind. The move was primarily symbolic, as after a short debate, Texas Republicans had enough support to pass the proposed new congressional map by a 19-2 vote in the upper chamber.

Even though it has cleared the upper chamber, the bills will likely die and not move forward in the House, which has been stalled for the last nine days since House Democrats broke quorum and fled the state . W

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