A walkout by Democratic legislators in Texas has ended, and Republicans are arranging to push a plan for redrawing the state’s congressional districts through the GOP-controlled Legislature.

The situation is an opportunity for the speaker to bolster his credibility with the right, but he has limited tools to combat a prolonged Democratic absence.

Texas Democrats end walkout as GOP-controlled legislature prepares to vote on redistricting maps that could flip five congressional seats to Republicans

Multiple Texas House Democrats will spend the night inside the Texas House chamber to protest law enforcement escorts that have been following them around to ensure they show up to the Capitol on Wednesday.

State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, holds a press conference in the Speaker’s Committee Room on Saturday saying he has the votes to become Texas House speaker in the upcoming legislative session.

Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, rises from his seat after being elected Speaker of the House on the first day of the 89th Texas Legislature at the Capitol Tuesday January 14, 2025.© Jay Janner ...

State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, speaks to his family on the opening day of the 89th Texas legislative session in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Burrows worked as an attorney before he was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2014, taking the seat from current Republican Senator Charles Perry of Lubbock.

The new special session started Friday with threats to House Democrats, who have signaled their intention to return to Texas after leaving the state to block the passage of a new GOP-friendly congressional map.