Rep. Katrina Pierson says Democrats who fled the state to block redistricting votes should face consequences, as Gov. Abbott seeks Supreme Court intervention.

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.

The redistricting battle in Texas continues to escalate as Republican Gov. Greg Abbott urged the state Supreme Court to remove state Rep. Gene Wu, the chairman of the Texas House Democratic caucus.Abbott argued that Wu has "forfeited" his office by fleeing the state along with other Democratic lawmakers to prevent the quorum necessary for Texas House to vote on enacting the new GOP-proposed congressional map -- with Republican control of the U.