Texas Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, right, in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 

The Texas Senate passed a redistricting map Tuesday after two Democrats remained in the chamber, allowing Republicans to hold a vote on a controversial plan that could add five more GOP seats in Congress. Unlike Texas House Democrats – most of whom are holding their ground out of state to block the map – Senate Democrats were unable to break quorum because of members who refused to participate.

The Senate vote doesn’t mean the map is going into effect – ultimately, both chambers will need to sign off on it. Republicans have cleared only one of those hurdles. Texas House Democrats are still unified enough to continue blocking the map in their chamber – even in the face of escalating legal threats from Republicans – and are on track to stop the vote through the end of the 30-day special legislative session. However, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has already committed to calling a new special session if Democrats don’t return this week.

The Texas House and Senate each require two-thirds of their members present in order to hold a vote. Democrats in the House have been able to sustain a quorum break even though some members of their party aren’t participating. But in the 31-member Senate – currently made up of 19 Republicans, 11 Democrats and one vacant seat – not enough members were willing to leave.

Shortly before Republicans held the vote on the map, nine Senate Democrats left the chamber, while two others – state Sen. Judith Zaffirini and state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa – stayed in the chamber, giving Republicans a quorum to move forward with the vote. Zaffirini and Hinojosa represent districts in south Texas, including areas along the border. Both voted against the measure. 

The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus put out a statement Tuesday explaining their walkout, with no mention of the two Democrats who did not participate.

“This mid-decade redistricting isn’t about fair representation – it’s about politicians picking their voters instead of voters choosing their leaders. And it doesn’t stop here. If they can gerrymander now, they can and will do it before every election,” the group said. “That’s why we walked out – because this session should only be about flood relief, and we refuse to engage in a corrupt process.”

The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus previously signaled interest in a quorum break, releasing a statement in solidarity when House Democrats left the state.

“When the system is being rigged to steal political power and ignore the needs of flood survivors, extraordinary measures are necessary. Our House colleagues are standing up for democracy, for the rule of law and for the millions of Texans who deserve to have their voices heard,” the caucus said.

State Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D) visited House Democrats in Chicago to show his support. 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), who leads the Senate, released a statement Tuesday on the vote, but not the walkout.

“Today, the Texas Senate passed the new congressional map, including 5 new Republican majority districts,” Patrick said. “The Texas Senate will continue passing this map each legislative session to accurately reflect our state until House Democrats return from their ‘vacation’ and get back to work for the people of Texas.”