According to a copy of the letter posted on X by state Rep. Venton Jones, D-Dallas, the total fine is $9,345.25. A spokesman for the House Democratic Caucus confirmed that all of the Democrats who remained absent received the letter.

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu joined a private strategy call on Thursday with Democratic leaders from other GOP-led states that might also redraw their maps.

The Texas redistricting battle is entering a new front as the fight turns to the courts, where Democrats and civil rights groups are expected to challenge the newly passed maps. Texas House Democrats who had fled the state to stall the maps said that they were returning “to the House floor and to the courthouse” this