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.

Texas Democrats in Chicago may soon be going home following a two-week battle preventing Republicans in their state from redrawing districting maps.

The answer to this illegal redistricting is for states to adopt Independent Redistricting Commissions, as now exist in 10 states.

Brooks was also critical of redistricting efforts on the other side of the political aisle, slamming California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his role in helping to "destroy our democracy."

Work started Friday afternoon on the second special session at the Texas State Capitol.

Support for the plan was significantly higher among Republicans, at 58 percent, than among Democrats, at 15 percent, and independents, at 24 percent.