The Capitol grounds were closed as protesters gathered in support of Rep. Nicole Collier, who is staying on the House floor in protest.

SMU political science professor Matthew Wilson explains the rarely enforced rules being applied during this second special session of the legislature.

The Texas House of Representatives is expected to vote Wednesday on a Republican-proposed redistricting map after Democratic lawmakers returned to the state this week. One lawmaker, State Rep. Nicole Collier,

The government is without any legal authority to detain members when a quorum is not needed to conduct business,” reads

A Democratic state lawmaker who fled Texas in protest of a GOP redistricting effort is asking a court to let her exit the Capitol, after she was told she needs a police escort to leave the building.

Collier is among the Texas House Democrats who broke quorum to block mid-decade congressional redistricting. She and at least 51 other lawmakers left the Capitol to block a map that opponents say would disenfranchise voters and position Republicans to gain five seats in Congress.

Texas Republicans now face a clear path to redraw the state’s congressional maps after state House Democrats ended their 15-day walkout and returned to the Capitol on Monday.