Texas Democrats who left the state in a bid to block redrawn U.S. House maps have responded to Republican Governor Greg Abbott's threat to remove them from office if they don't return by Monday afternoon.

Texas House Democrats flew to Illinois to block Republicans from passing a new congressional map that would boost GOP clout in Washington.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday threatened to remove from office Democratic lawmakers who don’t show up when the House convenes Monday afternoon. House Democrats Sunday left the state for Illinois in order to prevent the GOP-controlled Legislature from passing a controversial bill that would redraw the state’s congressional boundaries.