Greg Abbott doubled down on his promise to expel Texas Democrats from the legislature if they do not return to the state for its ongoing special session, where Republicans are working to push through a new congressional map that gives the GOP five more favorable seats ahead of the midterms.

Texas state Rep. Jolanda Jones used extreme language in defending Democrats' decision to flee the state to avoid a vote on a GOP-led redistricting plan on Don Lemon's show. She later apologized.