CHICAGO - Texas Democrats on Thursday moved closer to ending a nearly two-week walkout that has blocked the GOP’s redrawing of U.S. House maps before the 2026 election and put them under escalating threats by Republicans back home.

Texas Democrats to return to state

What we know:

The Democrats announced they will return so long as Texas Republicans end a special session and California releases its own redrawn map proposal, both of which were expected to happen Friday.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday stood with other prominent Democratic leaders to announce that the state would move forward with their own map proposals.

The California map would only take effect if Texas and other states move forward with their own redistricting efforts, and they would remain through the

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