(CNN) Texas state House Democrats left the state Monday in an effort to block Republicans from passing a restrictive new voting law in the remaining 27 days of the special legislative session called by Gov. The majority of the Democrats fleeing Texas are flying to Washington, DC, on two chartered jets, two sources familiar with the Democrats' plans told CNN. They have kept planning secret because they can be legally compelled to return to the state Capitol and believed law enforcement could be sent to track them down, the sources said. The group is "hoping" to meet with US Senate Democrats while they're in Washington, according to a source familiar with their plans. Already this year, Republican-controlled states including Florida, Georgia and Iowa have enacted restrictive new voting laws.

Source: CNN July 12, 2021 18:03 UTC