Gov. Greg Abbott previously asked the court to expel Rep. Gene Wu, the House Democratic leader. Paxton disputed the governor’s authority to make the request.

The Texas House of Representatives failed to meet quorum for the third time this week as a dramatic political standoff continues to unfold. On Friday, only 95 of the 150 members showed up—five short of the 100 needed to conduct official business.

The chamber lacks enough members on the House floor to hold a vote on a new congressional map that could flip five Democrat seats to Republicans.