Now that the Texas House has a quorum following Democrats’ two-week absence, lawmakers are back to debate a wide range of issues, including redrawing congressional maps to benefit Republicans.

Rep. Nicole Collier, of Fort Worth, returned to the Capitol Monday, but remains in the House chamber because she wouldn’t sign a permission slip to be under escort by Texas DPS.

In response, California Democrats are also moving ahead with their own reshaping of congressional districts to counteract Texas, putting in motion a potentially widening and unusually timed redistric...