The Texas Legislature began a new special legislative session Friday after Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to deal with congressional redistricting and a host of other issues — laying down a new gauntlet for Democrats who fled the state nearly two weeks ago to halt a vote on a new district map.

Abbott called a second special session after the House again failed to reach a quorum amid a Democratic walkout over a GOP-favored redistricting plan.

The congressional seat in Texas’ 18th District, a hub of Black political power, has been vacant for months. Redistricting could further disrupt representation for its voters.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called a second special session Friday after gaveling out the first 30-day session, hamstrung by fleeing Democrats who left the state.

Republicans in the Texas House forced returning Democrats to around-the-clock surveillance by state Department of Public Safety officers to leave the floor.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, once counsel for Fair Districts, also said the partisan motivation of new maps would be clear in court.

New York Times columnist David Brooks compared Trump's Texas redistricting efforts to 'mustard gas' on democracy, criticizing both parties' gerrymandering tactics.

Republicans required their Democratic peers to have an escort to ensure they returned to the chamber on Wednesday following their two-week venture outside the state to thwart a GOP redistricting effort.

"When we return, we will be ready to fight this map with every weapon available - from the streets to the statehouse to the courthouse," said Rep. Ramón Romero Jr., a Fort Worth Democrat who chairs the Mexican American Legislative Caucus said in a Monday statement.

New York Times columnist David Brooks claimed that President Donald Trump ordered Gov. Greg Abbott, R-TX, to "mustard gas" American democracy through redistricting efforts in Texas.