Texas House Democrats returned to their state Monday after spending two weeks in the Chicago area and other parts of the country to prevent the Republican majority in their legislature from passing a new gerrymandered congressional map aimed at eliminating five Democratic seats.

On Monday morning, the lawmakers boarded a jet at O'Hare shortly after 7 a.m., ending what had been a 15-day hiatus in Illinois.

No matter what California does, Texas will still lose two Black congressional members. That's still unacceptable, said state Rep. Aicha Davis, D-DeSoto.

Some Texas House Democrats confirmed they were leaving after the first special session in the Lone Star state ended Friday, and as California's own redistricting maps were expected Monday, meeting both the conditions laid out for their return.

John Bucy’s older daughter “seemed a little frustrated” with him this week when he wasn’t home to take her to school for her first day of kindergarten. The Texas House lawmaker from Austin hopes one day she’ll understand.

An Adams County judge ruled his court “does not have the inherent power to direct Illinois law enforcement officers” to round up the Texas lawmakers.

Hundreds gathered at Millennium Park Saturday afternoon, joined by several Texas House Democrats, to rally against redistricting efforts in Texas that could give Republicans five additional U.S.