] 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." Only in Texas Texas Dems skip session |