Democrats are trying to take the fight to Republicans, alleging they are facing an existential threat, with Gov. Greg Abbott‘s (R-TX) attempt to redistrict Texas’s congressional map mid-cycle to protect the GOP’s majority in the United States House before next year’s midterm elections.

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.

Texas Democrats have fled the state to block a vote on a new redistricting map. Gov. Abbott has ordered their arrest, stalling critical legislation and raising legal questions.