Tensions ran high at the Texas Capitol Thursday as lawmakers held their first public hearing on a controversial plan to redraw the state’s congressional map, ju

The meeting kicked off with Democratic House members and other attendees expressing their criticisms of the sudden move from the White House and the Governor’s Office, adding that no new proposed map was sent to representatives to discuss.

Texas Republicans are poised to redraw the state’s congressional map during a special session that starts Monday.

With little say in the ongoing debate over redrawing congressional districts​ in their home state, Texas Democratic state legislators are looking beyond their borders for help.

House Democrats are actively preparing for political trench warfare against the GOP in next year’s midterm battle, with talks taking shape behind the scenes to mount a counterattack against President Donald Trump’s aggressive play in Texas that aims to cement GOP control of Washington for the rest of his second term.

State Rep. Chris Turner also tells Inside Texas Politics that all options are on the table for Democrats, including leaving the state.

Emergency responders continue to search for missing people and local police said efforts have been slowed by "sightseers who are making things worse."