Texas House Democrats who fled their state to stall a Republican redistricting effort returned on Monday, ending their 15-day holdout.

Texas Democratic lawmakers said they returned to the state Monday after a two-week absence that temporarily blocked Republican leaders from enacting a plan aimed at padding their party's majority in the U.

Texas House Democrats confirmed on Monday morning that they are returning to Austin after a two-week standoff with Republicans over proposed congressional maps, potentially clearing the way for Republicans to approve changes that could net Republicans as many as five new House seats next year.