After two weeks out of state, Democratic lawmakers returned to Austin, paving the way for Republicans to pass their proposed congressional map.

State Rep. Todd Hunter, a Corpus Christi Republican, introduced the new map and was open about how the changes are meant to “increase Republican performance.”

Texas Democrats say they are ending a two-week walkout that stalled Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts as part of a national partisan brawl over President Donald Trump's desire to reshape U.