After leaving Texas for Illinois to prevent a legislative vote on a Republican redistricting plan, state House Democratic leader Gene Wu needed a means to project his voice — and viewpoints — to a national audience. So he tapped his campaign account to buy a microphone for news conferences.

PM: Inside Texas Democrats’ plan to seek refuge with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Texas Democrats knew that if they fled the state to block a Republican plan to redraw the congressional map, they would need blue-state allies.

Texas Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said Thursday the FBI has granted his request to assist Texas law enforcement in locating House Democrats who fled the state, setting up a potential confrontation with Illinois Democratic officials who have vowed to protect them.

Texas Democrats staying in Illinois after fleeing the state in opposition of Republican-led redistricting effort were evacuated from their hotel over a bomb threat, local law enforcement said on Wednesday.

Texas Democrats are in Illinois to block a vote on a new congressional map that aims to shore up Republicans power in Congress.