BREAKING — AUSTIN, TEXAS — Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the arrest of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a vote on redistricting legislation, following the issuance of arrest warrants by the Texas House Speaker.

The dramatic move comes amid a heated battle over Republican-backed redistricting plans, which Democrats say unfairly favor GOP control. In protest, several Democratic lawmakers went absent without leave (AWOL), denying the legislature the quorum needed to move the bill forward.

“They broke quorum, they ran to Washington, and now they’re going to be brought back — even if it’s in handcuffs,” Abbott said in a press conference.

Abbott argues that the lawmakers are derelict in their duties and that the redistricting vote is essential to uphold democratic processes. The Texas Supreme Court has allowed for civil arrest in such cases, and state law enforcement has been directed to locate and return the absent members to the Capitol.

This is not the first time Texas Democrats have used this tactic to stall legislation, but Abbott’s move marks a major escalation in the partisan showdown.