Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday called a second special session to push through a redrawing of congressional maps to secure up to five more Republican seats in the US House.

Returning to the Lone Star State gives Republicans a chance to approve new congressional maps and sets the stage for a high-stakes court battle.

If those conditions are met, the Texas House Democratic Caucus said Democratic lawmakers will return to the Texas House.

Lawmakers are now framing their ability to prevent new maps from passing during one special legislative session as a victory. But Republicans are poised to call another.

Gov. Greg Abbott has called a second special session for 19 agenda items as Texas' redistricting showdown rages on.

As Texas hurtles toward a flashpoint on a GOP effort to redraw congressional districts, California Democrats are about to answer with a plan of their own.

Multiple sources say Texas House Democrats who left the state to prevent a vote on new congressional maps will return to Texas.

Texas Republicans have ended a legislative session without approving new congressional maps but are ready for another to satisfy President Donald Trump’s wishes for redistricting that bolsters their party.