Democrats and voting rights advocates have denounced the redistricting effort, which is designed to give the GOP five more seats in the U.S. House.

The Texas House of Representatives on Wednesday gave initial approval to a new Trump-backed congressional map plan that would win the Republican party as many as five additional seats in next year’s midterms, solidifying GOP control of the U.S. Congress.

The Texas House gaveled in at noon with Democratic members present, marking an official end to the quorum break.

After two weeks out of state, Democratic lawmakers returned to Austin, paving the way for Republicans to pass their proposed congressional map.

Rep. Nicole Collier’s overnight stay stemmed from Republicans in the Texas House requiring returning Democrats to sign what the Democrats called “permission slips,” agreeing to around-the-clock surveillance by state Department of Public Safety officers to leave the floor. Collier, of Fort Worth, refused and remained on the House floor Monday night.

The redistricting fight heats up in Texas House as lawmakers prepare to vote on new mid-decade redistricting maps while Democratic activists voice their disapproval.

State Rep. Ray Lopez, a San Antonio Democrat, will not seek reelection to a fifth term in the Legislature’s lower chamber.

Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier spent the night in the Austin statehouse and plans to stay there until Wednesday's session after refusing a police escort.