] AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Three Democrats returned to the
] Capitol on Tuesday, but more than 50 remained on the lam
] in Oklahoma, frustrating Republican efforts to push
] through a plan to redraw the state's congressional
] districts.
]
] The rebellious Democrats were holed up at a hotel in
] Ardmore, Okla. They sneaked out of Austin on Sunday after
] spending several days discussing ways to derail a GOP
] plan to redraw the districts that seeks to increase the
] number of Republican seats.
]
] With 58 Democrats gone on Monday, the 150-member House
] was unable to muster the two-thirds quorum needed to
] conduct business. House Speaker Tom Craddick called the
] House to order Tuesday morning but even with the return
] of three Democrats, there still were enough missing to
] block any House business.
]
] The three returning Democrats were welcomed back into the
] House chamber with hugs and supportive words from their
] Republican colleagues. One Democrat, Rep. Helen Giddings,
] fought back tears as she stated her desire to stop the
] redistricting plan.
]
] The defiant Democrats in Oklahoma said they would stay
] away until Republicans agreed to drop the redistricting
] plan.
]
] "It's totally up to Craddick, and he has been so
] advised," one of the Democrats told The Associated Press
] on the condition of anonymity. "If he'll get
] redistricting off the calendar, we'll be right there
] bright and early."

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