A majority of Democrats in the Texas Senate walked out of the chamber Tuesday to protest the chamber’s congressional redistricting map as it advanced to the Texas House. Nine of the Senate’s 11 Democrats left just as Republican Sen.

With Democrats’ walkout over redistricting bringing the House to a standstill, both parties are accusing each other of abandoning Central Texas flood victims.

Democrats who are eyeing Texas’ Senate seat next year have upped their ad spending and media appearances while embracing clashes with Republican leaders.