Both Texas Republicans and Democrats are ratcheting up their rhetoric over proposed US 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.

The lawsuit filed with the state Supreme Court argues that Rep. Gene Wu violated Texas' Constitution and that his absence amounted to an abandonment of office.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to remove one of the state's House Democratic leaders, Rep. Gene Wu, calling him "the ringleader" of the dozens of Democratic lawmakers who left the state in an effort to block a redistricting vote.