A second special session that has made approving the map a priority started Friday, shortly after the first one ended.

Former President Barack Obama has expressed support for California Governor Gavin Newsom's approach to redistricting.

The Texas House reached a quorum Monday after dozens of Democrats who left the state to block the vote on a GOP-favored congressional redistricting plan returned to Austin. The Democrats were asked to sign "permission slips" so they could be escorted by state troopers to ensure they would return when the session reconvenes Wednesday,

The Texas House gaveled in on Monday with a quorum for the first time in two weeks after Democratic lawmakers who fled the state returned following a standoff over Republicans' redistricting effort.

Texas Democrats hold town hall on new congressional map in attempt to counter Trump-backed redistricting. AP video by Lekan Oyekanm

After Democrats returned to the Texas statehouse, Republican leadership assigned law enforcement officers to monitor them to prevent further delays to their plan to redraw congressional voting districts to favor Republicans ahead of the election.